Class ^ 
Book. 




7? 5i Pi ? 



•!$$• 



J 



|Eor|p Jtbbrg. 



•$• 



H^ 



*0^- 




M» 



^M* 



— — ■ — • — — ■ — •$• 

forKsfjire. 



THE 



jfcisfarij nf &nrj)? $lnj, 



FROM ITS 



FOUNDATION TO ITS DISSOLUTION, 



BY 



James 3j|. Ebeltng, jflft. 29. 



"SSrjcn trjt substance of ttjese faaricks srjall Ijafae paasrt atoao, tl;eir berg staooajs toill be acrrutablc to 
postexitrj." — .fuller. 



ROBERT WHITE, PARK STREET. 



Mdccclxx. 



* 




2To 
&f)e Etgftt p^onourafole &ije (£arl of Scarborough 

&i)is IMttme 

Is, 

IBg Ijis Horbsfjip's permission, 

Heoicatefcr 

ISj) one of tj)e mang tJjousanbs toijo tooulb 

(Uratetullg acfcnotoletrge tfje fcmoness tofjicf) permits tfjem 

to bisit antr enjog 

&f)e picturesque Beauties of tfye Ualleg 

antr 



B3*^SSS?eK@sg) 



* 



"V* 





HE art of phyfic, which I have profefled (with competent 
fuccefs) in this county, not being able for any long 
time to continue the people living in it, I have charita- 
bly attempted, notwithftanding the difficulty and almoft the con- 
trariety of the ftudy, to practice upon the dead, intending thereby 
to keep all which is, or can be, left of them, to wit, the fhadow of 
their names, (better than precious ointment for the body,) to preferve 
their memory, as long as may be, in the world, though for this 
latter undertaking I expect no more glory than I have gotten riches 
by the former," thus wrote Dr. Thoroton, in the preface to his 
" Hiftory of Nottinghamfhire." Almoft. the fame words are re- 
peated by Dr. Burton, in the preface to his " Monafticon Ebora- 
cenfe," And now for the third time they appear in this preface, 
becaufe they exactly exprefs the feelings of the Author. 

As far as he is concerned, the prefent " undertaking " is purely 
a work of love, at the fame time he has fpared no expenfe in collect- 
ing materials and no time in endeavouring to place them before the 
public in an acceptable form. His aim has been to make the volume 
intelligible to the general reader, and with that view all charters 
have been tranflated and foot-notes have been appended where obfcu- 
rity feemed to exift. The Author, however, cannot think his work 
anything like perfect ; ftill he has the fatisfaction of knowing that 
feveral documents have been refcued from oblivion which were fait 
becoming unreadable from extreme age, and that fome points of 
doubt with regard to the hiftory of the Monks and their Abbey 
which have hitherto exifted, have been finally fettled. 



«$• 



- — •$• 

vi ROCHE ABBEY. 



In thanking his numerous friends for their kind affiftance the 
Author is met at once by the melancholy fact that during the time 
this Volume has been going through the prefs, two from whom he 
received a large fhare of help, are no more. To that good and 
learned man, the Rev. J. Eaftwood, m.a., he was efpecially indebted 
for many ufeful fuggeftions and for carefully correcting all the 
tranflations ; and to Mr. W. M. Campfall he muft always feel 
thankful for the fervice he rendered in preparing many architectural 
drawings. To the Earl of Scarborough, the Author is greatly 
obliged for his kindnefs in allowing excavations to be made, to 
determine the ground plan of the Abbey, and to Mr. G. Naylor 
Vickers he is indebted for affiftance in carrying them out. He 
would alfo wiih to exprefs his deep fenfe of obligation to the Rev. 
John Stacye for his invaluable aid, and to Mr. Theophilus Smith, 
to Mr. W. Swift, Mr. J. Bohler, The Rev. J. T. Jeffcock, f.s.a., 
Dr. Sykes, and Mr. C. Jackfon for the kind affiftance they have each 
rendered. 



•$• — — ■ .$. 



•fc 



€anttnU. 



iList of Subscribers biii 

Eeference to plates ------- xtt 

Entrobuction - xb 

€ty Abbots 1 

Efje Possessions 97 

Wtft ^rrfjitecture, Jlonasttc Builbittjjs, attb tljetr Remains 161 

gbbenba 179 

Efje JHora of ftorfje 181 

Inbex 189 



tfig^&agggasfl 



* 



•* 



* 



list of Subscripts, 



His Grace The Duke of Norfolk, E.M. 

His Grace The Duke of Devonshire, K.G., L.L.D. 

His Grace The Duke of Newcastle. 

The Right Honourable The Earl of Scarborough. 

The Right Honourable The Earl de Grey and Ripon, K.G. 

The Right Honourable The Earl of Effingham. 

The Right Honourable Lord Wharncliffe. 

The Right Honourable Lord Foley. 

The Right Honourable Lord Halifax. 



Abbot, G. L. 

Aldam, W. 

Anderson, Sir C. H. I , Bart. 

Appleton, Rev. J., M.A. - 

Aveling, Stephen T. 

Aveling, Thomas 

Aveling, Miss 

Baines, William L. 
Barber, Fairless - 
Baxter, Dudley R. 
Bent, Rev. G. 
Bentley, Robert J. 
Binney, J. 
Bower, E. C. 

Bragg, William, F.R.G.S. - 
Brereton, Charles 
Brodhurst, G. - 
Broomhead, Barnard P. - 
Broomhead, John 
Broughton, John - 
Brown, Sir John - 
Brown, John 

Catling, Mrs. Robert 
Chaloner, Edward 
Chrimes, Richard 
Close, Thomas 
Cocking, Charles C. 
Coney, John 
Corbitt, William 
Coulson, Mrs. 
Coupland, J. M. - 



Sheffield. 

Frickley Hall, Doncaster. 

Lea, Gainsborough. 

Worksop. 

Lessnes Heath, S,E. 

Rochester. 

Needham Hall, Wisbeach. 

Bawtry. 

Castle Hill, Rastrick. 

Doncaster. 

Worksop. 

Finningley Park, Bawtry. 

Sheffield. 

Wadworth Hall, Doncasrer. 

Shirle Hill, Sheffield. 

Beverley. 

London. 

Sheffield. 

Blyth. 

Peterborough. 

Endcliffe Hall, Sheffield. 

Misson. 

Needham Hall, Wisbeach. 

Hermeston Grange, Worksop. 

Moorgate Grove, Rotherham. 

Nottingham. 

Wath-upon-Dearne. 

Awkley, Doncaster. 

Rotherham. 

Bellaport Hall, Market Drayton 

Tinsley. 



«#• 



LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS. 



IX 



Dawson, George 

Depledge, John - 

Drabble, James - 

Drury, Robert - 

Dunn, Miss - 

Dunhill, John ... 

Ellenberger, Dr. - 
Emsley, Samuel - 

Frith, John ... 

Flockton, Thos. J. 

Foljambe, F. J. Savile 

Forrest, Charles - 

Fowler, William - 

Free Library ... 

Gardner, Samuel 

Gatty, Rev, Alfred, D.D. - 
Guest, John - 

Habershon, Matthew Henry 

Hadfield, M. E., F.I.B.A. - 

Hailstone, Edward, F.S.A. 

Hatfield, George 

Haywood, George 

Hogg, John 

Holmes, H. T. - 

Holmes, George 

Horncastle, John - 

Hotten, John Camden 

Hoyle, F. W., F.G.H.S. 

Hoyle, W. Dickon 

Hoyle, W. P. - 

Hubbard, Edward Isle 

Hugo, Rev. Thomas, M.A., F.R.S.L., F.S.A. 

Huntsman, Benjamin 

Ingleby, William 

Jackson, Charles - - - 

Jackson, Rowland 
Jackson, Samuel - - - 

Jeffcock, John ... 
Jeffcock, John T. - 
Jenkinson, William 
Jewitt, Lewellyn L., F.S.A. 
Jubb, James Shemeld 

Latimer, William 
Lawton, Miss M. - 

Laycock, R. - - - 

Leader, J. D. - 



Thorncliffe. 

Thorncliffe. 

Carlton. 

Sheffield. 

Bideford. 

Cliftonville, Brighton. 

Worksop. 
Sheffield. 

Sheffield. 

Sheffield. 

Osberton. 

Lofthouse, Wakefield. 

Whittington Hall, Derbyshire. 

Sheffield. 

Archer House, Abbeydale, 

Sheffield. 
Ecclesfield. 
Moorgate Grange, Rotherham. 

London. 

Sheffield. 

Horton Hall, Bradford. 

The Hermitage, Doncaster. 

Moorgate, Rotherham. 

Doncaster. 

The Laurels, Shortlands. 

Harthill. 

Edwinstowe. 

London. 

Eastwood Lodge, Rotherham. 

London. 

Ferham House, Rotherham. 

Rotherham. 

West Hackney, Stoke New- 

ington. 
West Retford Hall. 

Sheffield. 

Doncaster. 

Leeds. 

Attercliffe. 

Cowley Manor, Sheffield. 

Cowley Manor, Sheffield. 

Sheffield. 

Winster Hall, Matlock. 

Morthen Hall. 

Anston. 
Sheffield. 
Wiseton, Bawtry. 
Sheffield. 



■ + 



* — 






-<sl° 


X 


ROCHE ABBEY. 


Lincoln Diocesan Architectural Society - 


Lincoln. 


Linley, Robert 


- 


- 


Netherholme, Worksop. 


Livesey, Rev. J. - 


- 


- 


Sheffield. 


Longden, Henry - 


- 


- 


Sheffield. 


Lowther, Sir Charles, Bart. 


- 


Swillington House, Leeds. 


Makin, W. 


. 


. 


Attercliffe. 


Marrian, Thomas 


- 


- 


Sharrow Grange, Sheffield. 


Massey, Henry - 


- 


- 


Worksop. 


Metcalf, A. 


- 


- 


Retford. 


Miles, Mrs. 


- 


- 


Firbeck Hall. 


Milner, Henry B. W. 


- 


- 


West Retford House. 


Moore, Rev. Edward, F.S.A. 


- 


Spalding. 


Moore, Thomas - 


- 


- 


Sheffield. 


Morris, Richard M. 


- 


- 


Worksop. 


Munk, W., M.D. - 


- 


- 


London. 


Natorp, Gustavus 


. 


_ 


New York. 


Newton, Thomas - 


- 


- 


Chapeltown. 


Newton, W. 


- 


- 


East Retford. 


Nicholson, G. P. 


- 


- 


Wath-upon-Dearne. 


Padley, James Sandby 


. 


- 


Lincoln. 


Parker, Thomas W. 


- 


- 


Rotherham. 


Peacock, Edward, F.S.A. 




- 


Bottesford Manor, Brigg, 


Pearson, Thomas J. 


- 


- 


Worksop. 


Peech, John 


- 


- 


Wentworth. 


Peel Park Library 


- 


- 


Manchester. 


Perrot, Eugene H. 


- 


- 


Rotherham. 


Plant, Edwin 


- 


- 


West Retford. 


Ramsden, Robert J. 


_ 


_ 


Carlton Hall. 


Rawlinson, Robert, C.B., 


C.E., F.G.S. 


London. 


Reed, Mrs. 


- 


- 


Elm. 


Roberts, Samuel - 


- 


- 


Queen's Tower, Sheffield. 


Robinson, Mrs. - 


- 


- 


Rotherham. 


Rodgers, Jeremiah 


- 


- 


Doncaster. 


Rodgers, Thomas 


- 


- 


Sheffield. 


Rolleston, George, M.D. 


F.R.S. 


- 


Oxford. 


Rotherham Library 


- 


- 


Rotherham. 


Rotherham, Mrs. A. 


- ; 


- 


Throapham. 


Rotherham, Mr. Alexander, Jur 


1. 


Throapham. 


Sales, J. 


_ 


_ 


Rotherham. 


Sanderson, George 


- 


- 


Manchester. 


Science and Art Department 


- 


South Kensington. 


Sheffield Library 


- 


- 


Sheffield. 


Sheardown, J. B. 


- 


- 


Doncaster. 


Shillitto, F. W. - 


- 


- 


Rotherham. 


Shortridge, William 


- 


- 


Chipping House, Heeley. 


Shuttleworth, J. J. 


- 


- 


Bath. 


Sisk, Rev. T. Ignatius 


- 


- 


St. Bernard's Abbey, Leicester- 
shire 


Siddall, Joseph - 


- 


- 


Wath-upon-Dearne. 


Smith, R. Moffatt, 


- 


- 


Manchester. 


Smith, Theophilus 


- 


- 


Sheffield. 



* 



* 



LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS. 



XI 



Smith, John Russell 

Spurr, H. A. 

Stacye, Rev. John 

Stevenson, W. H. - - 

Swift, William ... 

Sykes, Dr. 

Tasker, Rev. C. W. 

Teulon, W. M. - 

Tipping, Rev. Vernon 

Thompson, Lady Mary - 

Trollope, The Rev. Archdeacon, F.S.A. 

Tylden-Wright, F.G.S. 

Vickers, Edward 
Vickers, G. Nay lor 
Vickers, Henry - 
Vickers, T. Edward 

Wake, Bernard - 
Wake, William ... 
Walker, Thomas 
Ward, A. J. 
Wardell, James - 
Watson, Henry E. 
Webster, Henry - 
Weightman, J. G. 
Weldon, John - 
Weldon, Walter - T 

Wentworth, Godfrey 
Whall, John 
Wilcockson, W. H. 
Willoughby, The Hon. and Rev. C. J. 
Winn, C. 

Wise, John R.- 
Wood, John ... 

Yates, James ... 



London. 

Blackburn. 

Sheffield. 

London. 

Sheffield. 

Doncaster. 

Glossop. 

London. 

Lawton. 

Sheriff Hutton Park, York. 

Leasingham. 

Woodlands, Worksop. 

Brighton. 
St. Petersburgh. 
Holmwood, Ecclesall. 
Bolsover Hill, Sheffield. 

Sheffield. 

Sheffield. 

Woodlands, Doncaster. 

Sheffield. 

Leeds. > 

Park Cottage, Worksop. 

Sheffield. 

Collingham. 

London. 

London. 

Woolley Park, Wakefield. 

Worksop. 

Nottingham. 

Wollaton. 

Nostel Priory, Wakefield. 

Edwinstowe. 

Sheffield. 

Oakwood Hall, Rotherham. 




w 



# 



ffitfrontt to tyt Pates. 



Frontispiece. — General View of Ruins from south-west. 

Plate I. — Plan of Abbey Grounds, shewing old boundary wall. 

II. — Ground Plan of Abbey Church (restored), the dark portions 
indicate the present remains. 

III. — Elevation of interior of North Transept (east wall), with plan 
of Piers. 

IV. — Perspective details of Capitals, &c, 

Fig. I. Centre Pier in east wall of north transept, from north- 
east. 
„ 2. Side of south-east Tower Pier from south transept chapel. 
„ 3 and 4. Cap and Base from north window in chancel. 
„ 5. Cap from south window in chancel. 
„ 6. Corbel Pillar supporting the groined roof of chancel 

(north side). 
„ 7. Ditto ditto (south side). 

V — Fig. 1. Enlarged Plan of Tower and Nave Piers. 

„ 2. Enlarged Plan of Piers to north transept chapels. 
„ 3. Section of Capital of transept Pier. 
„ 4. Section of Base to ditto. 

„ 5. Section of Arch Moulding to same. 
„ 6. Section of Groined Moulding in aisles (transverse). 
VI. — Fig. 1. Plan of Pier (displaced). 

„ 2. Section of Tower Arch Moulding. 

„ 3. Ditto of String inside chapter house. 

„ 4. Plan of West Door Jamb (clear opening of door, 5 ft. 5 in.). 

„ 5. Section of Moulding, now in possession of Mr. Crossley, 

of Maltby. 
„ 6. Section of Mouldings to Jamb of Doorway into 

chapter house. 
„ 7. Section of String of chapter house (exterior). 
„ 8. Section of Base Mould of chapter house (exterior). 

♦" — — «*■ 



REFERENCE TO THE PLALES. 



Xlll 



Plate VI. — Fig. 9. Section of String (triforium). 
„ 10. Section of Parapet (chancel). 
„ 11. Section of Label. 
„ 12. Section of String (clerestory). 
„ 13. Section of Groin Moulding (transept, &c). 
„ 14. Section of Groin Moulding (diagonal). 
„ 15. Section of Groin Moulding (early decorated), found in 

Chapter House. 
„ 16. Section of String (interior). 
,. 17. Section of Base Moulding. 
„ 18 — 22, Sections of Bases to Window Shafts, &c. 
„ 23. Section of Base to west Door Jamb. 
„ 24. Section of Capital. 
,,25 and 26. Sections of Window Shafts. 

VII. — Fig. 1. Section of Arch Mould (transitional), found near chapter 
house. 

2. Section of Cap and Base to Shafts (decorated). 

3. Elevation Section of Corbel, next entrance from Abbey 
Buildings to south transept. 

4. Section of Piscina Mould. 

5. Section of Window Jamb Moulding (transitional). 

6. Section of Angle Shaft. 
7 — 9. Sections of Window Jamb Mouldings in south chapel 

(decorated). 

10. Section of Arch Moulding (decorated). 

11. Plan of Window in south Transept chapel (decorated). 

12. Elevation of Window in ditto (restored). 

VIII. — Fig. 1. Present condition of Easter Sepulchre (?) in north wall of 
chancel. 
„ 2. Piscina in south wall of north transept chapel. 

IX. — Various ancient incised Masons' Marks found on Roche Abbey. 

X. — Fig. 1. Secretum of Roche Abbey. 
„ 2. Matrix of the same. 
„ 3. First common Seal of Roche Abbey. 
„ 4. Last ditto, attached to the Surrender Deed. 

XI. — Fig. 1. Fragment of Capitals of West Door Jamb, found near 
the quarries, together with portion of String. 
„ 2. Cap and Base (perpendicular). 
„ 3 — 6. Various Fragments (transitional). 



•$• 



XIV 



ROCHE ABBET. 



XII. — Fig. I — 5. Fragmentary portions of the Easter Sepulchre, (?) &c, 
(decorated), discovered in excavating below it. 
„ 6. Ancient Copper Key found in ruins (Weight, 2^oz). 

XIII. — View of Abbey Gatehouse, from south-east. 

XIV.— Plan of Abbey Gatehouse. 

XV — Fig. 1. Plan of Jamb Mouldings of Gatehouse. 

„ 2. Section of Arch Moulding of Gatehouse. 

„ 3 and 4. Sections of Base Mouldings of Gatehouse. 

„ 5. Section of Groin Moulding (transverse). 

„ 6. Section of Groin Moulding (diagonal). 

„ 7 — 9. Capitals. 

„ 10 and 11. Corbels. 




T ** " 



# 










Hh 



Printed by R.White , Wor 



KSOP 



Hi* 



«► 



H- 






>< 
W 

w 

Q 

O 




M^ 



^^5- 



^>H 



^M» 



Roche Abbey 



Plate III. 




Scale of Feet 
5 



h^ 



^ 



Printed B? R White,Workkop 



-5- 



4: 



Roche Abbey 



Plate 1Y 



%^v;^v , v k w . -■■ 



\ ti . w-y ■■'- i ' ;y l ''"s 




+r 



Printed by R .Whitj-:. . Workso** 



T 






*► 



tf 



i >< 

a. 



< 

w 

s 
o 
o 




^ 



^h 



-h 



Ah 



Roche Abbey 




^ 



♦* 



Plate YH 





-4^-* 



HH 



■ '. by R.Weite .Worksop 



*♦ 



± 



Roche Abbey 



T 



^f 



PlateYIII 





^fSfp|%; 



V 4c^.^%#^ 






^ 'vtVl k^^v ., v., ■■'■ ' $^J$/>d atei^^mi 






♦* 



^ 



HH* 



. 






Roche Abbey 



r ■• 



Plate IX. 
























^ 



c by R .We it n , Worksop 



K^ 



^ 



Roche Abbey. 



h^^+-J— 



jTLATE a 






-t*&* 



T 



Printed by R. White, Worksop 



Roche Abbey 



^ 



+* 



Plate XI 





^ 



Printed by R.White , Worksop 



HH 



<4y_ 



Roche Abbey 



^kl 



PlateXH. 



.*?*- £5S-> 



7 ■ ! > ;>' . i 




% \„< <4J< Wi If;. H 



^V.#C\lDl L 






Hff* r 






&,.■■:-*- 



% /TV 











HH- 



Printed by R. White , Worksop 



'. -;■ 



> 
at 

K 

< 




ft 



<Hh 



Roche Abbey 



<» 



Plate XIV. 




Abbey Grounds 



Plan of Abbey Gateway 



Scale of Ieet . 



in i h i i i 



*<y 



«♦» 



Printed by R.White .Worksop 



'<> 



"&■ 



Roche Abbey 



^^ 



Plate XY. 





FIG." FIG.8. F1G.9 



FIG. 10. FIG11 



Printed ay R White . Worksop 



^ 



* 



y» 



*- 



■* 





N the beginning of the twelfth century, after the Crusaders had taken 
Jerusalem and had completed the massacre of its inhabitants, after 
they had fallen down, their swords still streaming with the blood of 
women and children, before the holy sepulchre, weeping in the ecstasy of 
their devotion ; and after Robert, Duke of Normandy had lost his crown by 
loitering upon the road, to espouse Sibylla, the daughter of an Italian Count : 
Henry I. foreseeing that his usurped crown would sit uneasily, endeavoured, 
by a charter which he then passed, to gain the confidence and love of his subjects. 

He, in this charter first makes great concessions to the church, promising 
"that at the death of any Bishop or Abbot he never would seize the revenues 
of the See or Abbey during the vacancy, but would leave the whole to be 
reaped by the successor ; and that he would never let to farm any ecclesiastical 
benefice, nor dispose of it for money." The King had also another object in 
conciliating the favours of the clergy and especially of Anslem who, from his 
zeal and piety of character, had obtained great authority in the kingdom. 
Henry proposed to marry Matilda, daughter of Malcolm III. King of Scotland, 
and niece to Edgar Atheling, but as that princess had been brought up in the 
nunnery of Rumsey, the legitimacy of the act became a matter of doubt and 
the religious prejudices of his subjects had to be overcome ; which difficult task 
the church alone could perform. 

The concessions contained in this charter, and other things tending to give 
confidence to the clergy caused religious houses to spring up so fast, that dur- 
ing the thirty-five years in which Henry reigned no less than one hundred and 
fifty were established. Five new orders also came into England during this 
reign, and one of these was the Cistercian, to which order the monks of Roche 
Abbey belonged. 

Of all the orders which sprung from the Benedictines, the Cistercian was 
the most popular. Their first monastery was at Cisteaux— now Gilley-les- 
Citeaux about twelve leagues to the north of Chalons-sur-Saone. To this 



4p - — •$» 

xviii ROCHE ABBEY. 

place Robert, Abbot of Molesme, having obtained the Pope's sanction, retired 
together with twenty-one of his brethren. Cisteaux at that time, 1098, was a 
dense and tangled wilderness, inhabited only by wild beasts, but Robert de 
Molesme disgusted with the laxity of those he had left, was determined, most 
effectually, to separate himself from the world. The more wild and uninviting 
the place, therefore the more tempting was it to this ascetic Abbot. He imme- 
diately commenced cutting away the thorns and crowded trees, and under the 
protection of Otho, Duke of Burgundy, and the Bishop of Chalons, soon laid 
the foundation stone of the first Cistercian Abbey. 

The first Abbey of this order in England seems to have been at Waverley, 
in Surrey, founded about the year 1128, thirty years after Robert de Molesme's 
entrance into the wilderness of Cisteaux. Mr. Rastal, however, in his Chronicles 
says that " the order of Cysteaux was first brought into England by Walter 
Espeke, who founded the first Abbey of that religion at Ryvall." Although 
this abbey may not have been the first in England, it was, doubtless, the first 
in Yorkshire. 

The rules of the Cistercian order were very strict, but did not last so long. 
Their houses were to be built in solitary places, and to be dedicated to the Holy 
Virgin. All secular affairs were to be placed in the hands of lay-brothers. 
Their revenues were to be divided into four parts — to the bishop a fourth ; to 
the priests a fourth ; to the exercise of hospitality a fourth, and a fourth for 
widows and orphans, the sick, and repairs of the church and cloisters. They 
were not to possess any churches, altars, ovens, mills, towns, or serfs. They 
were not to permit any women to enter their Abbeys or any dead to be buried 
there. They were to wear no leather, linen, nor fine woollen cloth, neither were 
they, except on a journey, to put on any breeches, taking heed to deliver them 
up, fair washed, upon their return. They were to have two coats with cowls, 
which they might lessen but not augment, and in which habit they were to 
sleep. They were to obs.erve strict silence, save to their Abbot or Prior ; to 
" devise extraordinary afflictions for their own bodies, to the intent their souls 
may be advantaged ;" to fast, to prostrate themselves before visitors, and to 
wash their feet. a 

The Cistercians were sometimes called " White Monks " owing to the 
colour of their habit, which consisted of a white cassock with a narrow scapulary. 
According to a legend of this order this colour was assumed at the wish of the 
Virgin Mary, intimated in a vision to St. Bernard. When they were at work or 
abroad a black gown fastened about the waist with a black girdle of wool was 
worn over the white to protect it from dirt. They also wore a cowl and a hood 
of black. The lay-brothers and novices were always clad in a dark colour. 

a Peter, of the Grandimont order, wore upon his naked body a coat of mail; his bed was made of a hard 
board, having neither straw nor coverlet ; " with often kneeling, kissing of the ground, and beating it with his 
forehead and nose, he rendered his knees and hands hard like a callus, or horn, and his nose crooked." 

4 •$• 



$> _ 4" 

INTRODUCTION. xix 

The Cistercians performed their devotions seven times in the twenty-four 
hours, as follows : 

Nocturnal at 2 a.m. 

Prime at 6 a.m. 

Tierce at 9 a.m. 

Sexte at noon. 

None at 3 p.m. 

Vespers . at 6 p.m. 

Compline at 7 p.m. 

The vestments, utensils, and ornaments of the church were ordered to be 
very plain. The crosses were to be of painted wood uncarved, and the candle- 
sticks of iron. Pictures and painted glass were not to be allowed. 

From the following history the reader will learn that this humility and self- 
denial did not last long. Wealth, even when it entered the walls of a monastery 
could not leave luxury without ; nor could the monk exercise the power which 
the ignorance and superstition of the people allowed him without pride. Not 
many years had elapsed from the institution of the order, before the Cistercian 
Abbot might have said with the Benedictine, " my vow of poverty has given me 
100,000 crowns a year, my vow of obedience has raised me to the rank of a 
sovereign prince." 

When the bold usurper, Stephen, obtained his throne the power of the 
church had become so great that the mitre might be said to rule the crown, and 
it is doubtful whether that monarch would have so easily received from the pre- 
late the rite of royal unction and consecration, had it not been for the interest 
and assistance which he obtained through his brother Henry, who was at that 
time Bishop of Winchester. 

Stephen, like his predecessor, well knowing the importance of securing the 
good-will of the clergy, lost no time in passing a charter in which he made 
most liberal promises to the church ; and hoping still further to steady his 
tottering crown, pleased the Pope by desiring him to ratify, by a bull, his 
groundless title. 

Religious houses, during the reign of Stephen, continued to be established, 
notwithstanding the misery and confusion in which the kingdom was involved, 
even with greater rapidity than in the time of Henry. " Emperors and Em- 
presses, Kings and Queens, Dukes and Duchesses, exchanged the sceptre and 
the ducal coronet for the crosier, deserted their thrones and honours in order to 
assume the titles of ecclesiastics and to wear their habits, and instead of labour- 
ing to conquer the world, forsook it, and thereby gained a greater victory — a 
victory over themselves." 

During the short space of eighteen years and nine months which Stephen 
reigned, no less than one hundred religious houses were founded. At this 



•§• 



XX 



ROCHE ABBET. 



^ 



period the Cistercians gained the summit of their popularity, no fewer than 
thirty-two abbeys of that order having been added to the thirteen already 
existing. Among the thirty-two Cistercian Abbeys founded in the reign of 
Stephen, was one vieing with others in magnificence and interest, the Abbey of 
Sancta Maria de Rupe, or Roche Abbey. 

The Abbey of Roche was situated near the south-eastern extremity of the 
county of York, within a short distance from the boundary of Nottinghamshire : 
its site being about nine miles from the towns of Doncaster and Worksop, 
somewhat less from that of Rotherham, and still nearer to the once celebrated 
castles of Tickhill and Conisbrough. 

It seems desirable for a more distinct understanding of the following history 
of the place, that a slight sketch should be premised of the general history of 
the adjoining district and its early lords, some of whom were among the 
founders and principal benefactors of Roche Abbey. 

Previously to the Norman Conquest the lands in this neighbourhood were 
held by a variety of proprietors, of whom the chief were Earls Harold and 
Edwin, respectively Lords of Conisborough and Laughton. Shortly, however, 
after that great event, almost the whole of the manors about here became the 
prey of three great companions in arms and also family allies of the Conqueror, 
these were Roger de Busli, Robert, Earl of Morton, and William de Warren — 
of these Roger de Busli held the largest share, if we include his manors in the 
county of Nottingham, where he was lord of not less than 170 estates, and also 
many in the county of York. The head of his fee was, at first, placed at Blyth, 
in Nottinghamshire, but afterwards removed to Tickhill where he commenced 
the erection of a castle, on a site which had formerly been occupied as a 
Brigantian stronghold. The castle of De Busli soon rose to such importance 
as to give a new name, that of Tickhill, i.e. The Wick Hill or Castle Hill, to the 
vill, to which it was adjacent, which had previously been called Dadesley, under 
which designation it appears in the Domesday survey. It is a remarkable fact, 
however, and one worthy of observation, that this castle, which conferred a name 
on the town with which it was connected, and on the Honour of which it formed 
the head : in the earliest documents in which it is mentioned, is called the castle 
of Blythe, that is, no doubt, the castle of the honour, not of the vill of Blythe. 
This latter place, Roger de Busli had given as endowment for a Priory of 
Benedictine Monks, which he founded there in A.D. 1088. He died in A.D. 1099 
leaving a son of the same name, who did not long survive him, and died with- 
out offspring. After the death of the latter, the extensive fee which they had 
enjoyed was, for some time, either in the hands of the crown, or of persons to 
whom it was temporarily assigned by the sovereign, till it was restored to a 
descendant of the house of De Busli in the person of Alicia, Countess of Augi 
or Eu, who held it in the reign of Henry III, and whom we shall hereafter 
meet with in our history. This great lady derived her pedigree from Beatrix, 



# 



INTRODUCTION. 



xxi 



«$• 



the sister of Roger de Busli, and although she did not appear to have had 
so good a title to the honour as the representatives of the male branch of the 
family, who derived their origin from Ernaldus a brother of Roger, who dis- 
puted it with her, yet she contrived to maintain her position, chiefly it would 
seem by royal favour, until, according to Dugdale, she forfeited it about 37th 
Henry IIL» 

Among the numerous manors which Roger de Busli held hereabouts, 
Maltby, in which the Abbey of Roche was mainly seated, formed a not un- 
important one. Previously to the Norman Conquest, it had been the property 
of one Elsi, but at the time of the great survey it was held, in part, in demesne 
by Roger himself, and the rest was cultivated by his villeins and borderers. 
Shortly, however, after that date, it appears that Roger subinfeuded his brother 
Ernaldus here, as also at Kimberworth and other places, where his family held, 
on the whole, as much as six knight's fees. At Kimberworth the descendants 
of Ernaldus had long a mansion and a park ; they possessed also Sandbeck, 
immediately adjoining our Abbey, with which valuable estate we shall find one 
of his race, the great heiress of the house, Idonea, the widow of Robert de 
Vipont endowing the brotherhood of Roche. Richard de Busli, the co-founder 
of the Abbey, was the grandson of Ernaldus. He was not only liberal to this 
house, but also a benefactor to a kindred establishment, that of Kirkstead, in 
Lincolnshire, the monks of which had already gained a footing on the confines 
of his estate at Kimberworth, where they had a small establishment and some 
property, at the place afterwards called Thundercliffe Grange. To these 
brethren, about the year 11 60, he granted sufficient land for the erection of four 
ironworks, two for smelting the ore and two for forming it into bars, together 
with liberty to dig for ore in any part of his Kimberworth manor : they were 
also to have liberty to pasture their horses and cattle there, and to collect dry 
wood. There is little doubt, that the building erected by the monks at that 
time, as a stable for their beasts, and residence for their forgemen exists, little 
altered, at the present day. It stands, in a very elevated situation, adjoining 
the road from Rotherham to Wortley, within a short distance of the " Keppel 
Column," and is well worthy of observation, as a very ancient and curious struc- 
ture. Maltby, and the other estates of this branch of the De Busli family, con- 
tinued in the hands of persons of that name till the reign of King John, when 
they passed by the marriage of Idonea, the heiress of the house, with Robert 
de Viteri Ponte or Vipont, into this latter name. Here they continued for 
three generations, till they again passed by the marriage of two co-heiresses, 
Isabel and Idonea, into other families ; the former, being the elder sister, 
having in 52nd Henry III married Roger son and heir of Roger Lord Clifford ; 
the younger, 1st Roger de Leyburn, and 2ndly John de Crumbewell, who had 
in her right the manor of Kimberworth. She died without issue, and it would 






Rot. Fin. 37th Henry III., Baronage, vol. i., p. 137. 



-* 



* 



XX11 



ROCHE ABBEY. 



appear before her death had conveyed the manor of Maltby to her nephew, 
Robert de Clifford, and in this great family the manor was vested, with slight 
intermissions, till the reign of Queen Elizabeth, when it was sold in 1587 by 
George the 3rd, Earl of Cumberland, of that race, to Sir Edward Stanhope, 
whose son again sold it to Sir Nicholas Saunderson, from whom it has descended 
to its present noble owner, the Earl of Scarborough. The family connexions 
of the De Busli race will perhaps be more clearly understood from the follow- 
ing pedigree derived from TJwrotoiis " History of Nottinghamshire." 



Roger de Busli=pMuriel 
ob. 1099. 

r^ 

Roger de Busli the 2nd. 
ob. s.p. circa. I loo. 



Ernaldus 
de I Busli 



Jordan de Busli 

I 
Richard de Bush 
co-founder of Roche Abbey. 



John de Busli. 

I 
Robert de Viteri Ponte-pldonea de Busli 

or Vipont only d. and h. ob. I24l. a 

ob. ia Henry III. 

John de Vipont= 
ob. 25 Henry III I 

I 

Robert de Vipont=pIsabel, sister and co-h. of Richard Fitz-John. 

ob. 48 Henry III."' | 

_ I -, 



Eeatrix 



Henry 

John 

I 
Henry 

I 
Alicia, Countess of Augi 
I or Eu. 

Henry, Earl of Augi. 



Isabel de Vipont=pRoger s. and h. of 
m. 52. Henry III 



Lord Clifford 
ob. 11. Edward I. 



Robert de Clifford=Matilda 
ob. 8. Edward II. co-h. of Thomas 
de Clare. 



Roger de Leybun=Idonea de Vipont=John de Crumbewell. 
1st husband. ob. s. p. 



\ 



Another great lord of the soil in this neighbourhood at the time of the 
Domesday survey, as we have already intimated, was Robert, Earl of Morton, 
the half-brother of William the Conqueror. He held a vast number of manors 
in Yorkshire, the greater part of which were apportioned to two subinfeudatories, 
Richard de Surdeval and Nigel de Fossard. Some few, however, he retained in 
his own hands, and of these was the one with which we are now principally 
concerned, that of Hooton, afterwards distinguished from several others of the 
name, within a short distance, by the addition of Levet, from the name of the 
family which subsequently possessed it. This small manor detached from his 
other estates, and surrounded by those of Roger de Busli, had strangely 
escaped the rapacious maw of that great leviathan of manors hereabouts. It 
was held in demesne by Earl Robert, and cultivated by his villeins and 

a Excerpta e Rot. Fin. Henry III. vol. i. p p. 357, 371. 
* „ „ vol. ii. p. 410. 



* 



* 



-* 



INTRODUCTION. xxiii 



borderers, but it did not long continue in his possessions, for it was soon for- 
feited together with all his other English estates, and appears then to have be- 
come vested in the family of Fossard, who thus were elevated to the position of 
chief tenants. They did not, however, occupy the land themselves, but subin- 
feuded the house of Vesci, Lords of Rotherham, and these again invested with 
the actual possession of the soil, a family named Fitz-Turgis. The first person 
of this race of whom we find mention is Richard Fitz-Turgis, also named De 
Wickersley, from his having become possessed of the manor of that place, which 
he held of the Lords of Bentley, the Newmarches, and they again of the 
castle of Tickhill. It was this Richard, who was so happily joined in the bonds 
of christian brotherhood, but too rare in such cases, with his neighbour De Busli, 
Lord of Maltby, whose estate there was separated from his own, only by a 
small brook, as heartily to co-operate with him, in the foundation of the Abbey of 
Roche. He was succeeded in the estate by a son, who was also a benefactor to 
the house, and the latter by a daughter named Constantia his sole heiress, who 
carried the property into the family of De Levet by her marriage with William 
de Levet. With the Levets the manor continued till the time of Henry V. 
about which period they disappear. It then seems to have become the property 
of the Cliffords, and is mentioned among the places of which Thomas, Lord 
Clifford died seised in 1454. From that time its descent, it is believed, has been 
the same with Maltby, to the Earl of Scarborough." 

The other principal fee in this neighbourhood whose lords were special 
benefactors of Roche, was that of Conisborough. This manor with its numerous 
dependencies, as already intimated, had before the Conquest been the property 
of Earl Harold, afterwards King of England, but after that event became the 
portion of William de Warren, who married Gunnora, the daughter or rather 
daughter-in-law of the Conqueror. The lands of his Yorkshire fee lay not only 
at Conisborough and in various townships extending to the extreme confines of 
the county southward, but also beyond Doncaster, where Hatfield and a large 
surrounding district was dependent upon it : there being, however, an extensive 
tract of country intervening which was not in Warren's possession. And it was, 
as we shall see, at Hatfield and its neighbourhood that the Abbey of Roche 
was specially benefited by that great family. The manor of Conisborough 
remained in the family of Warren till the time of Edward III, when their 
possessions came into the hands of the crown. It was settled on the 
Princes of the house of York, and became the property of Edmund of Langley 
a younger son of the King. At the castle here it would appear that he some- 
times resided, and here his second son Richard, who enjoyed the title of Earl of 
Cambridge, was born. This Prince married, as his second wife, Maud a daughter 
of Thomas, Lord Clifford, who as we shall find in our subsequent history, made 

a Hunter's " South Yorkshire," vol. i. p. 265. 
4 $. 



-•#• 



XXIV 



ROCHE ABBEY. 



her will at Roche Abbey, in which she directed that her body should be buried 
there. 

It appears unnecessary to pursue this general history any further, so much, 
however, it seemed desirable to premise, in order to enable the reader more 
intelligently to peruse the following history. 

This history will be found digested under the three following principal 
heads. 

I. — The Abbots. 

II. — The Possessions. 

III. — The Architecture, Monastic Buildings, and their 
Remains. 

And under these heads, it is trusted, that a full and accurate account will be 
furnished respecting the venerable and interesting Abbey of Roche. 




*- 



■*. 



* 



* 



IList of tfje mbote of Bocfjc Ebfceg. 



I 


Durandus .... 


1147 


2 


Dionyfius .... 


"59 


3 


Roger de Tickhill 


1171 


4 


Hugh de Wadworth 


1179 


5- 


Ofrnund ..... 


1184 


6 


Reginald .... 


1223 


7 


Richard .... 


1238 


8 


Walter .... 


1254 


9 


^/^« ..... 


1268 


IO 


"Jordan . . • . 


*** 


1 1 


. PM]) ... 


** * 


12 


Thomas . . „ 


1286 


x 3 


Stephen ..... 


1287 


H 


j^/m . . 


1300 


15 


Robert ..... 


1300 


16 


William .... 


1324 


J 7 


Adam de Gykellfwyk 


J 33° 


18 


Simon de Baukewell 


x 349 


J 9 


John de AJlon 


'• 1358 


20 


Robert 


i39 6 


21 


John Wakefield 


1438 


22 


John Gray 


1465 


2 3 


William Tikil 


1479 


24 


Thomas Thurne . • . 


i486 


2 5 


William Burton 


1488 


26 


John Morpeth . 


1 49 1 


27 


John Heflington 


!5°3 


28 


Henry Cundal, furrendered in 


1538 



*- 



•$• 



*- 



* 




ffittratrtrtta. 



i H7— IJ 59- 




URANDUS, bearing in his hand a crofs of 

^.wood, and followed by twelve monks," in 

|%s imitation of Chrift and his twelve Apoftles, 

might have been feen, in the middle of the 

jjjfl twelfth century, wandering about a defolate 

I and tracklefs foreft — which, at that time, 

'Sj^s covered the South of Yorkshire — in fearch 

Off. 

W of unappropriated land in a retired fituation, 
where he might lead a holy life, and by labour 
win from the earth the little fuftenance which his 
abftemious habits demanded. With much " Travail 
and hungre, thurfte, and colde," he might have 
been feen to enter a namelefs valley, whofe tangled Hopes 
w J were fheltered from the inclemency of the North by a range 
of lofty gray and venerable looking rocks. And as the good 
Durandus entered, we ftill may picture the flam of joy which crofTed 
his weary countenance when he became convinced, from its wildnefs 
and extreme folitude, that the long-fought refling place had been 
found. And as he flood elated at the fitnefs and beauty of the fpot, 
imagination ftill may mow us the monks approaching, one, with 
tidings of a fpring, furpaffing in purity any he had before met with; 
and another, with awed and eager ftep, relating that, wandering 
near, he has found hewn out upon a rock, by God's own hand, an 
image of our Saviour on a Crofs ! And may we not ftill in our 

s " For threttene is a convent as I geflTe." — Chaucer. 



* 



^ 



4 ROCHE ABBEY. 

minds fee Durandus and his twelve bowed down before that my flic 
rock in filent thankfulnefs and deep devotion ? 

This valley, fo peaceful and retired, and contrafting fo ftrongly 
with the turmoil and buftle of the world, and the horrors of civil 
war (at that time being carried on between Stephen and Matilda,) 
is fituated in the parifh of Maltby, and the flream which panes 
through it formed the boundary line between the lands of Richard 
de Bufli, and Richard Fitz Turgis, lords of Maltby and Hooton. 
In this valley — this lonely and beautiful wildernefs — Durandus and 
his followers fettled down under the title of "Monachi de Rupe," 
or 'Monks of the Rock,' living for a time in rude huts under trees, 
and depending partly upon their own exertions and partly on the 
charity of others for their fupport. How long the community 
remained in this condition is not known, but it is not probable that 
their privations lafted long, for in thofe days the endowment of a 
religious houfe was looked upon as a high privilege, and lords of 
the foil loft no time, when an opportunity prefented itfelf of doing 
that which they believed would both immortalize their names and 
fave their fouls ! 

Upon the 30th day of July," in the year of grace 1147, the 
Houfe of Roche was founded by Richard de Bufli and Richard Fitz 
Turgis. The following are tranflations of the foundation charters: — 

Charter of ftirfjaro oc 23u£li, b concerning tfje founoation of tijc 

W&c$ of 0ocl)e. 

"BE it known to all who fee or hear thefe letters 

that I, Richard de Bufli, with confent of my wife and 

heirs, have given to God and St, Mary, and to the 

Monks of the Rock, for the falvation of my foul, and 

the fouls of all my anceftors, the whole wood from the 

middle of the road from Eilrichethorpe to Lowthwaite, 

and fo far as the water which is the boundary between 

Maltby and Hooton, and the two farts which belong to 

Gamul, with a great culture which is there adjacent and common 

of pafture for a hundred fheep, in number fix fcore, in the foke d of 

Maltby, by this tenure, that they build their Abbey on whichfoever 

a Mr. Hunter makes this date "June," but he is evidently in error, for the pafiage in the " Succeffio Abbatum^" 
" tertio kalendas Augufti," can mean nothing elfe than the third day from the kalends of Auguft. — "South York- 
shire, vol. i. p. 269." 

b Richard de Bufli was grandfon of Arnaldus, who was brother to Roger de Bufli, an eminent Aorman, who 
followed the Conqueror, and obtained great pofleffions. 

c A piece of wood land turned into arable. d Territory. 




•$*" 



DURANDUS. 



fide of the water they pleafe, according as the fituation of the place 
{hall be more fuitable, Richard de Bufli and Richard Fitz Turgis 
agreeing between themfelves that both mould be the founders of the 
Abbey, on whichfoever's property the Abbey may be built, as a 
perpetual charity, free and quiet from all fecular fervice or gift. 
Before thefe witnefTes, Adam de Newmarch, Hugh de Stainton, 
Odo Filius Johannis, Willielmus Filius Raveni, Jordan Painel, 
Gamel Filius Befingi, Hugh de Langthwaite, Robert de Scalzebi, 
William le Buteiler, William de Mileri, Robertus, Filius, junior, 
Richard Barbot, Gervafe de Barneby, Swein, fon of Tor and Jordan, 
his fon." 

Cfjc Charter of ftirfjaro jpttj €ut£t£, rejecting tfjc f ounoation 

of tfjc 2TOcp of ftoctje- 

" BE it -known to all who fee and hear this Charter, 
that I, Richard Fitz Turgis, with the confent of my wife 
and heirs, have given to God, St. Mary, and the Monks 
of the Rock, for the falvation of my foul, and the fouls 
of my anceftors, the whole land from the borders of 
Eilrichethorpe, as far as the brow of the hill beyond the 
flream which runs from Fogfwell, and fo to a heap of 
{tones which lies in the fart of Em, and fo beyond the ■ 
road as far as the Wolfpit, and fo by the head of the culture of 
Hartfhow to the borders of Slade Hooton ; all that land, and all 
that wood below thefe bounds and common of pafture of all my 
land, and fifty cart loads every year in my wood of Wickerfley, 
where I {hall provide, or fome one on my behoof, for a perpetual 
charity, free and quiet from all fecular fervice, on this condition — 
that they build an Abbey on whichever fide of the water they 
pleafe, according as the fituation of the place {hall appear beft, 
Richard Fitz Turgis and Richard de Bufli agreeing between them- 
felves, and conceding that both be founders of the Abbey, on whofe- 
foever fide of the water it may happen to be. Before thefe witnefTes, 
Adam de Newmarch, Hugh de Stainton, Odo Filius Johannis, 
Willielmus Filius Raveni, Jordan Painel." 

In thefe fancy-bazaar and begging-letter days it is difficult to 
enter into the feelings of two men, who, in the twelfth century, 
were fo much in earneft, and fo full of faith, that they could with- 
out hefitation give up fo large a portion of their pofTeflions for the 
purpofe of building and endowing a monaftery, wherein a few 




•$• 



ROCHE ABBEY. 



ftrolling monks, who had chofen to fettle upon the borders of their 
eftate, might live and worfhip God after their own fafhion. Two 
great inducements for fuch a facrifice are, however, prominently 
mentioned in both charters. The firft is — " the falvation of their 
fouls and thofe of all their anceftors " (no fmall boon ! ) ; and the 
fecond is, the honour of being founders. The whole of their lands 
and woods were given to God, St. Mary, and the Monks of the 
Rock, "on this condition, that both be founders." 

The building of the Abbey, doubtlefs, commenced at once, 
as both wood and good building ftone were to be procured on the 
fpot in abundance, no delay would be occafioned in collecting 
materials. Durandus would, therefore, have the pleafure of feeing 
the firft ftone of his Abbey laid, and of dedicating it, as was the 
Ciftercian cuftom, to the Bleffed Virgin Mary. At the laying of 
the foundation of Croyland Abbey, which took place a few years 
earlier, the pious Abbot Toffred began by faying prayers, and 
fhedding a flood of tears. Then thofe who had come to affift in 
the ceremony each laid a ftone, and upon it depofited a fum of 
money, a grant of lands, tithes, or patronages, or a promife of ftone, 
lime, wood, labour, or carriage, to affift in building. Richard de 
Bufli and Richard Fitz Turgis moft likely followed the liberal 
cuftom of the ftone-layers at Croyland, and Robert de Scalzebi and 
Adam de Newmarch probably followed their good example, they 
having been two of the earlieft benefactors of the houfe, and, as the 
reader may have noticed, two of the witnefTes to the foundation 
charters. 

It has been a fubjed: of doubt from which abbey Durandus and 
his monks came, and fome, not content with the fufficiently dif- 
ficult talk of deciding from which of the Britifh abbeys they were 
derived, have gone fo far as to fuggeft the poflibility of their foreign 
origin. 

Thefe doubts, however, need no longer exift, as there is 
fufficient evidence to prove beyond a doubt from whence they came. 
From the narration of Hugh, a monk of Kirkftall, which is printed 
in the Monajiicon Anglic anum, vol. v., p. 299, we learn the 
following : — 

In the fifth year of the foundation of Fountains Abbey, a noble 
man, Ranulph de Merlay, came to vifit that abbey, and feeing the 
converfation of the brethren was ftruck with compunction, and 
under the Lord's infpiration, for the redemption of his foul, afligned 
a certain place in his patrimony for building a monaftery. The 
Abbot of Fountains accepted the offering, and the building having 

«$♦ — ,$. 



* 



DURANDUS. 



been arranged in due form, he conftrucl:ed an abbey which he called 
Newminfter. And this was the firft daughter of the Church of 
Fountains, as yet the only one of her mother. In the fifth year of 
its foundation a convent was sent out from Fountains to Newmin- 
fter, with Abbot Robert, a holy and religious man, formerly monk 
of Whitby, who joined himfelf with thofe who left St. Mary's 
Abbey, York, to found Fountains. Thus Newminfter had its 
beginning. And this was the firft plant which proceeded from our 
vineyard. The holy feed nourifhed in the foil, and as if received 
into the bofom of a fertile ground, forthwith increafed into a ftalk, 
and from a few grains arofe a copious crop. For emulating the 
fecundity of her mother, fhe brought forth three daughters — Pipe- 
well, Salley, and Roche. 

The truth of this narration is corroborated in many ways. Dr. 
Whitaker, in his Hijiory of Craven, p. 36, gives a charter/ mewing 
that Swain Fitz Swain fold to Robert, the Abbot of Newminfter, 
fome land to build an abbey upon of the Ciftercian order (Salley 
Abbey.) In the Monaflicon Anglic anum, vol. v. p. 34, there is 
alfo a charter proving that the original monks of Pipewell came 
from Newminfter: and the evidence is completed by the letters b of 
the Abbot of Newminfter to the Archbifhop of York, requefting 
him to confirm the election of the Abbots of Roche. The Abbot 
of Newminfter, in one of thefe, ftyles himfelf " Father Abbot and 
immediate Vifitor of the Monajiery of Roche." Henry, prior of Roche 
was elected abbot of Newminfter in 1 2 1 6. 

The Abbey of Newminfter is fituated at a fhort diftance from 
Morpeth, in Northumberland. One doorway alone of the original 
building remains. From this monaftery then, the "Monks of the 
Rock" came, fent forth by St. Robert, the firft abbot of Newminfter, 
a Yorkfhireman by. birth : and it is not unlikely that he aflifted 
them as he did the monks of Salley in their early poverty. 

After having lodged for fome time in huts, living on " boiled 
leaves and herbs," as the monks of Fountains had firft done, and 
with the profpect of winter before him, how gladly muft they have 
received the meflage of the lords of Maltby and Hooton, offering to 
build and endow them an abbey ! How fpeedily, too, muft the fcene 
have changed ! Where a few filent monks had been dwelling in 

* Dr. Whitaker has miftaken the meaning of the words " novi monafterii" in this charter, and places Robert, 
the Abbot of Newminfter, at the head of the abbots of Salley. 

b See page 62. 

c The life of St. Robert is given in Alban Butler's "Lives of the Saints," under June 8th. Should it not be 
June 7th ? 



i> 



.w. _^j, 

8 ROCHE ABBET. 



folitude, a throng of noify workmen now appear. And inftead of 
the peace which had hitherto reigned,the rattle of carts, the tramp 
of horfes, and the founds of pickaxe and fpade are heard. It muft 
have been an anxious and a happy time for the good Durandus, as 
he walked among the labourers, watching their daily progrefs, and 
pondering upon the glory of the future. In the crafh of falling 
timber, and in the founds of mafon's tools chipping and fhaping 
the fair white ftone, he, perhaps, forefaw his beautiful abbey already 
ftanding, capped with pinnacles and towers, furrounded with fruitful 
gardens, orchards, and barns well flored ! Death, however, pre- 
vented the good old abbot from feeing all his willies fulfilled. In 
1 159, after he had held his abbacy twelve years, Durandus died. 

Reft, Durandus ! The materials of the crumbling abbey will 
foon fall over thy mouldering bones. The trees thou felledft have 
been replaced, and now, with outftretched arms, thefe younger fons 
of the foreft reclaim the ancient foil. Yea, in the very fane where 
noble arches fprung, rough branches wave ; now flowers only cenfe 
the air ; and for the folemn mafs, now noify jackdaws lit and mock 
with fcornful laughs ! 

<f The owl of evening and the woodland fox 
For their abode the fhrines of Waltham choose. 
Proud Glaftonbury can no more refuse 
To (loop her head." 




•fr * 




©tonssitts. 



1159 — 1171. 



•$• 




IONYSIUS was elected fecond Abbot of Roche in the 
year 1159. Who he was, or from whence he came, are 
matters of doubt ; but there is reafon to believe that he was 
one of the original followers of Durandus, and perhaps, 
fub-prior to the community previous to his election to the abbacy. 

The twelve years during which Dionyfius governed the abbey 
of Roche, exactly coincide with the period during which Henry II. 
and Thomas a Becket were ftruggling for the afcendancy. And 
ftrange to fay, this Royal quarrel threatened at one time to ferioufly 
affect the happinefs of the poor " monks of the Rock ;" for Henry, 
hearing that Thomas a Becket (who had fled the country) had 
aflumed the habit of the Ciftercian order, and was living with 
Gwarine, Abbot of Pontiniac, wrote to that abbot and threatened 
to drive out from his realm all the monks of his order if he con- 
tinued to harbour him in his abbey. Happily for Dionyfius and his 
monks however, Thomas a Becket left Pontiniac, and fo the king 
had not the chance of putting his threat into execution. 

The life of Dionyfius as abbot muft have been very quiet and 
profperous. Property came flowing in, and the poffeflions of the 
abbey were becoming rapidly more extended. In the time of 
Alexander, Abbot of Kirkftal, who lived contemporaneoufly with 
Dionyfius, Henry de Laci, lord of Pontefract, granted and confirmed 
the donation which Richard de Wickerfley, and Roger and Jordan 
Hoten, made to the Monks of the Rock, of common pafture of all 
the territory of Hotun. The following charter of Richard de Bufli, 
fon of the founder, was probably alfo granted at this time : — 

Charter of UlirJjaro oe 25u£li, of <£Jritl)tf)orp. 

" TO all the fons of Holy Mother Church, as well prefent as 
future, Richard de Bufli, greeting ! Be it known to all that fee and 



«$■- 



* 



^ __ ^ 

10 ROCHE ABBEY. 

hear thefe letters, that I, Richard de Bufli, with the advice and 
confent of my wife and heirs, have given to God, St. Mary, and 
the Monks of the Rock, for the falvation of my foul and thofe of all 
my friends, Elrichthorpe, and whatever belongs to it in all things. 
And I have granted to them the land of William de Alz which my 
father gave them, and the land which the aforefaid monks have 
of my Knight of Scalzebi. — Witneffes, William, his fon and heir ; 
R., his fon ; Ralph, the prieft ; Hugh, the clerk of Rotherham ; 
Robert de Bufli; William de Sandebi; Mr. William de Duningeton; 
Richard Baret ; William Barbot ; and Ralph de Turlavefton." 

Dionyfius, fave attending a general chapter now and then, and 
looking after his revenues, could have had little elfe to do than 
to fuperintend the building of his abbey, the walls of which by 
that time muft have reached a goodly height. A few pointed 
arches, were perhaps, already completed, and had received their 
fhare of admiration and aftonifhment, for in thofe days the pointed 
arch was a great novelty, the round or Norman arch being the form, 
which had up to that time been ufually employed. 

Dionyfius ceafed to be abbot in 1 1 7 1 . 




* 



* 



* 




2R0ger te ^ttftfjilL 



1 171 — 1 179. 




HANKS to the cuftom which the monks had when they 
left the world of leaving their furnames behind them, 
and of affuming by way of diftinction the names of the 
places from whence they came, we are able to learn that 
by this time, the Monks of the Rock had begun to receive brothers 
from the towns and villages near them ; and that Roger, the third 
abbot of Roche, came from the neighbouring pariih of Tickhill. 
The building of the Abbey muft have been carried on very 
actively during the time of abbot Roger ; and we find from the 
following charter of John, fon of the founder, that the Houfe of De 
Bufli ftill remained firm friends to the monks : — 

Cfje Charter of Sfoljn oc 25u£li, tfje gon of fticfjaro oc 25u£U. 

" TO all the fons of Holy Mother Church, prefent and future, 
John de Bufli, greeting ! Know that I have granted and confirmed by 
this my charter, to God, St. Mary, and the Monks of the Rock, for 
the falvation of my foul, and the fouls of my father and mother, 
and all my anceftors and heirs, all the donations and liberties, with- 
out refervation, which Richard de Bufli, my father, gave them, and 
confirmed by his charters ; fo that the ditch of the aforefaid monks 
as it has been made around the wood mail remain for good and 
peace, without any clamour, common from me and my heirs, except 
the aerie of fparrow-hawks, which the aforefaid monks have granted 
me. I have granted alfo, to the aforefaid monks, to make ditches 
and enclofe their fields between the wood of Maltby and the fields 
of Sandbec, below their boundaries at their pleafure, keeping the 
two roads untouched, to wit, Bolgate and the road which comes 
from Blythe. All thefe I have granted and confirmed to the afore- 
faid monks, for a pure and perpetual charity, free and quiet from all 



* 



-* 



i2 ROCHE ABBEY. 



fecular fervice, and from everything which belongs to the eflate ; fo 
that I and my heirs mall warrant and defend that charity againft all. 
Before thefe witneffes, Nicholas, the parfon of Tickhill; Humphrey, 
the clerk; William, chaplain of the cattle; Robert Fitz Payne; Ralph, 
his fon; Hugh Scaufby; Hugh, the fon of Robert; Robert of Bereus; 
Hugh le Engleis ; and Thomas, the fervant. In the court of 
Tickhill." 

Works on falconry name the kind of hawk affigned to different 
ranks. The fparrow-hawk is that affigned to the prieft." A 
hawks aerie was returned in Domefday-Book, among the moft valu- 
able articles of property which a perfon could poffefs ; and doubtlefs 
this one was much prized by John de Bufli. From it probably he 
obtained the fparrow-hawk, which had to be rendered yearly by the 
De Bufli's to the Foffard's for the tenure of Bawtry. And this may 
have been one caufe for retaining it. 

Blythe mentioned in the above charter was one of the five places 
licenfed by King Richard I. for tournaments, and Roger de Bufli 
placed a colony of monks there; "founding the priory not improbably" 
fays Mr. Hunter, " that there might be thofe at hand who could 
minifter religious confolation to the knight who might chance to be 
mortally wounded in thofe dangerous encounters, or medical affiltance, 
for the monks were often fkilled in the healing art, to thofe more 
flightly injured." Matthew Paris tells us of a tournament which was 
held here in 1256; "about Whitfuntide," fays he, " a general tourna- 
ment was held at Blythe, according to the laws and difcipline of chivalry, 
at which the King's eldeft fon Edward attended in linen clothing and 
light armour to be inftructed in the laws of chivalry. Many nobles 
who endeavoured to gain knightly renown there, were unhorfed, 
beaten, crufhed and trampled under foot ; of whom one was William 
Longfword, who never afterwards recovered from the effects of his 
injuries." 

Roger de Tickhill was abbot of Roche for eight years. He 
ceafed to be abbot in 1 1 79. 

""There is a Spare-hawke ; and me is an hawke for a preeft." Dame July.tn Bernes on Hawkynge, 
Wynkyn de Worde, 1496. 



•$"$" ! M ! **$* 



•#• «$• 



*- 



•fc 




juflfy to Wtilfyatfy. 



i 179 — 1 184 




UGH DE WADWORTH, Mr. Hunter fays— "appears to 
have been an active fuperior, as in his time the Confirma- 
tion from the Pope was obtained, and Roxby grange 
bought." But that indefatigable hiftorian is in error when 
he ftates that this abbot obtained the Confirmation charter. This 
writing is addreffed to Ofmund, the next abbot, and bears a date 
two years later than that of Hugh de Wadworth's death. 

There can be little doubt but that Abbot Hugh came originally 
from the neighbouring pariih of Wadworth, and not improbably he 
was a member of the family of that name, which at that time refided 
at Wadworth. He certainly had one great family likenefs to them, 
namely, that of borrowing money from the Jews at York. Peter 
de Wadworth fell into fad trouble with thefe Hebrew gentlemen, 
and was helped out of his difficulties and affifted in his " great 
neceffity" by the monks of Roche, who had previoufly received great 
favours from the family. 

The only aft which can pofitively be afcribed to Hugh de 
Wadworth, is the rather difcreditable one of having involved the 
Abbey in great debt to the Jews of York, for the purpofe of pur- 
chafing Roxby grange, in Lincolnfhire. 

He held his abbacy five years, and ceafed to be abbot in 1 1 84. 



•$•- 



•$♦ 



■*• 




©smttntr. 



1 184 — 1223. 




SMUND had the moft profperous and the longeft reign, fave 
one, of all the Abbots. He came from Fountains Abbey, 
where he had held the office of " Cellarer," in the year 
1 1 84. Ambitious and active, all things profpered in his 
hands, and under his rule the Abbey became fpeedily rich and 
powerful. 

His firfl great a£t was that of obtaining from Pope Urban III. a 
Confirmation of all the gifts which the monaflery had up to that time 
received. The following is a tranflation of it : — 

Confirmation of $ope Ctrnan in. 

" URBAN bifhop, fervant of the fervants of God, to his beloved 
fons, Ofmund, abbot, of Roche, and his brethren as well prefent as fu- 
ture, profemng a regular" life — falvation in Chrift. To all thofe who 
choofe a religious life it is fitting that apoftolical guardianfhip be at 
hand, left, haply the attacks of any one's temerity mould either call 
them off from their purpofe, or (which God forbid!) break in upon 
the ftrength of their facred bond. Therefore, beloved fons in the 
Lord, we favourably afTent to your juft requefls, and after the example 
of our predecefTor, of happy memory (Pope Lucius ;) take under the 
blefTed Peter's and our own protection, and fortify by the privilege of 
this writing the aforefaid monaflery of Roche, in which ye are 
bound under a divine fervitude ; in the firfr. place decreeing that the 
monaftic order which is acknowledged to have been inftituted in 
the faid monaflery according to the rule of the Lord and the blefTed 
Benedict, and the inflitution of the Ciftercian brothers, be inviolably 
obferved in the faid place for all time. Next, that whatever pof- 
feffions and whatever goods the faid monaflery pofTefTes at prefent, 

* i.e. Monaftic. 



+ 



* 



<£. — — — _,£ 

OSMUND. 1 5 



or in future, by the grant of Pontiffs, largefs of Kings or Princes, 
offering of the faithful or in any other juft modes by the help of the 
Lord it may obtain, remain firm and entire to you and your 
fucceffors, according to the very words in which we have thought 
right that thefe things mould be expreffed. 

Of the gift of Richard de Builli, (called alfo Bufli,) and Richard 
de Wikerflai, the place itfelf in which your Abbey ftands. 

Of the gift of Lord King Henry II., one hundred acres in 
Lindric, near the faid Abbey. 

Of the gift of the fame perfons, the grange of Aggecroft with its 
appurtenances. 

Of the gift of the fame Richard de Bufli and Hugh de Drigwrt, 
Lambecroft (Lambcote) with its appurtenances. 

Of the gift of Leo de Manners, Brancliffe with its appurtenances. 

Of the gift of William Avenell, Anes (Oneaih) with its appur- 
tenances. 

Of the gift of Walter de Scoteni, Rokefby (Roxby,) with its 
appurtenances. 

Of the gift of Ralph Tortemayns, Todwick with its appurten- 
ances. 

Of the gift of Symon, fon of Symon, land in Inffeby with its 
appurtenances. 

Of the gift of Hamelin Bardolf and Robert Fitz Eudo, land 
in Winterington with its appurtenances. 

Of the gift of Robert de Scalcebye and Adam de Newmarch and 
Roger de Mar, Newfome with its appurtenances. 

Of the gift of William Vavafour, Thurnfcoe with its appurten- 
ances. 

Of the gift of Gervas de Barnby, a grange in Barnby and Bram- 
with. 

Of the gift of Thomas de Armthorpe, a grange in the faid town. 

Of the gift of Robert Fitz Payne, Wellingley with its appurten- 
ances, and all the lands which ye have in the territory of Wadworth.* 

Of the gift of William de Moles and William Fitz Gerard, 
Sezacres with its appurtenances. 

Of the gift of Simon de Pleiley, Afhover (Derbyfhire,) with its 
appurtenances. 

Of the gift of Robert, fon of Glai, land and wood of Cumrefbruig 
(Coningiborough,) as far as to Witewell between the road and the 
brook. 

"The gift of Eudo son of Godfery de Wadworth, says Dr. Burton. 



# 



1 6 ROCHE ABBEY. 



Of the gift of William the Fleming, all the land which Ligulf 
held and a certain effort between Heftwell and the efTart of Orm, 
the man of Adam Fitz Swayn, with all appurtenances. 

Of the gift of Gerard de Stirap, turbary in the territory of the 
fame town. 

Verily, let no man prefume to extort from you tithes of your 
labours, which with your own hands or at your own expenfe you 
cultivate, as well from lands cultivated as uncultivated, or of the 
nourishment of your animals, under pain of &c. Given at Verona, 
by the hand of Albert, prieft of the Holy Roman Church, cardinal 
and chancellor, the feventh day of April, in the fourth indidtion, in 
the year of the incarnation of our Lord MCLXXXVI, but in the 
firft year of the pontificate of the moft Holy Pope Urban III." 

Having obtained this important charter which not only confirmed 
the poneffions of the monks, but exempted them from paying tithes, 
Ofmund next applied to King Richard, and obtained from that 
monarch a remiflion of the 1 300 marks borrowed from the Jews of 
York by his predecefior Hugh de Wadworth. The Jews were fo 
hated at this time that this difhoneft interference of the King would 
be looked upon rather as a virtuous action than otherwife. The 
fums which the Jews loft in this way muft have been enormous. 

Ofmund alfo obtained from King Richard a charter which con- 
firmed to the monks the Abbey and all that belonged to it, and 
granted to them many rights and privileges, not the leaft important 
of which was that of allowing them to hold a court of their own, in 
which they might judge thieves, trefpafTers, &c. The following is a 
tranflation of it : — 

Confirmation of Hing fttcJjaro I 

" RICHARD, by the grace of God, King of England, &c, 
all, &c, know that I have granted, and by the prefent charter 
confirmed to God, and the Church of Saint Mary of Roche, and 
the monks ferving God in the fame, the Abbey itfelf, with all its 
appurtenances, to wit, whatever they have in the territory of Maltby 
and Hooton, and in the grange of BranclifFe, and whatever they have 
in the territory of Takewith, Bramley, and the grange of Lambcotes, 
and whatever they have in the territory of Stainton and Wad- 
worth, and the grange of Wellingley, and the grange of Newhum, 
and whatever they have in the territories of Scoreby of Marr, 
Thurnfcoe, Armthorpe, Barnby, Bramwith, and the grange of 
* * * with all their appurtenances ; and whatever they have in 
the territories of Afhover, Torworth, Fairwath, Oldcotes, Stirap, 



♦ 



OSMUND. i 7 



Winterington, Rifby, and the grange of * * * with all their 
appurtenances ; and all the porTeffions which the faid monks have, 
or which they may hereafter reafonably acquire, in granges, houfes, 
buildings, men, fervices, rents, lands, meadows, paflures, commons, 
woods, ponds, waters, flews, mills, fifheries, turbaries, in-ways and 
paths, free introits and exits, and all other poffefTions and liberties, 
within the towns and without, and in all other places, as the reafon- 
able charters and handwritings of the donors and vendors teflify. 
Wherefore, I will, and firmly enjoin, that the aforefaid Abbey and 
monks, have and hold all the aforefaid, well and peaceably, fully, 
entirely and honourably, in free and perpetual almoigne, free and 
quiet from all gilds, fcutages, pleas, quarrels, fummonfes, county 
meetings, wapentakes, trithings, aids to fheriff, and all other aids 
and all other charities, and from frankpledge and murder, and all 
other cuftoms and occafions which appertain to me. I grant alfo, 
that the faid monks fhall have the rights of a Court of their own, 
over all their tenements, and men with foke, and fac, and toll, and 
theam, and infangthef. And I enjoin alfo, that the faid monks and 
brethren be free and quiet from all toll and cuftom which belongs 
to me throughout my realm, of all things which they fhall buy or 
fell for their own ufe, or caufe to be carried out or brought in by 
land or water. And I forbid there being put in any plea concerning 
any tenement of theirs except before me or my Chief Juftice. 
Witnefs, the King." 

Ofmund alfo obtained a further confirmation from the Countefs 
of Eu, of which the following is a tranflation : — 

Confirmation of tfje Counted of <£u. 

" TO all the fons of Holy Mother Church, prefent and future, 
Alice, Countefs of Eu, formerly wife of Ralph de Ifondun, Earl 
of Eu, greeting ! Know all of you that I in my widowhood, and 
being in full power over my own body, for the welfare of the foul of 
the faid Ralph my lord, and for the welfare of my own foul, and that 
of Ralph my fon, and all my anceftors, and heirs have granted, and 
by this my charter have confirmed to the Monks of the Abbey of 
St. Mary of Roche, the fite of the faid Abbey, and the grange of 
Aggecroft, with the appurtenances, and the wood of Lindric as it is 
bounded by a ditch, in pure and perpetual alms, and moreover, all 
the lands and pofTefTions which they hold in the Barony of Tick- 
hill, with the appurtenances, liberties, commons and eafements 
in woods and plains, and in all places as the reafonable charters of the 

+ — — ^ 



i8 



ROCHE ABBEY. 



donors and vendors thereof contain and teftify. Witnefs, Lord 
William Earl Warren, my uncle ; Philip de Ulecotes ; William de 
Creffi; Mavefin de Herfy; Baldwin his brother; Mathew de Shepeley; 
knights. Given at Tickhill in the year of grace 1219." 

In the feventh or eighth year of Ofmund's prefidency he was 
made proctor for Cardinal Stephen of all his rents in England, in 
fuch fort, fays a valuable old deed giving the lift of the early abbots, 
" that he received of the goods of the faid Cardinal at different times 
of the year by annual payments to the amount of 400 marks, out of 
which money they provided handfomely for themfelves, and were 
enriched to fuch an extent that they were reckoned wife men, and 
lacking no temporal good." The monks had alfo from this fame 
Cardinal the prebend of Laughton. 

Roche Abbey feems not only to have been fortunate at this time 
in having an illuftrious abbot, but alfo in porTeffing monks of more 
than ordinary ability. The names of the four following have been 
preferved : — 

HELIAS, who was elected abbot of Kirkftal in the year 1 209. 
The following account of him is copied from a deed quoted by 
Stephens from Thorejbys MSS. " Helias of worthy memory, 
formerly monk of Rupe, an induftrious man, and well verfed in 
temporal affairs, having taken upon him the government, had enough 
to do according to time and place to gather what had been scattered 
and to preferve what had been gathered, and the Lord was with 
him. Nor did he want tribulation at his firft promotion ; for the 
noble Roger Lacy, patron of the monaftery, being ill advifed by fome 
perfons, conceived fo much anger againft the faid abbot, that he 
would not vouchfafe to fee nor admit him into his prefence ; but 
the Lord in whofe hand are the hearts of princes and their councils, 
affuaged his paffion and rancor, and converted it into perfect favour 
and affection, for he afterwards was very familiar and intimate with 
the abbot, and not a little promoted the affairs of the houfe." Helias 
held the abbacy of Kirkftal twelve years. 

HENRY, who was elected abbot of the monaftery of New- 
minfter, near Morpeth in Northumberland." This Abbey was 
founded for Ciftercian Monks from Fountains ; and the connection 
which exifted between it and Roche points ftill to the fuggeftion 
already made, that the original monks of Roche came from 
Fountains. Henry, who had been prior of Roche was elected abbot 
of Newminfter in 1216. 

* Chronicle of" Melrofe, p. 194. 



* 



* 



<{JS» 



OSMUND. 



'9 



THEODORE, another monk who lived during the reign of 
Ofmund, and was probably of high ftanding ; he took precedence 
in iigning before Henry, prior of Workfop, a deed in which a fon of 
Girard de Furnival gave to the monks of Kirkftal the moiety of a 
mill at Hanfworth Woodhoufe. 

REGINALD, whofe name appears coupled with that of Ofmund 
in 1202/ was probably the monk who was elected abbot of Roche 
alter Ofmund. 

In 1223 Ofmund died after a reign of thirty-nine years. 

a Fines Ebor in the Augmentation Office, IV John. 




# 



"9* 



•$*• " 




Eegtnaltr. 



1223 — 1238. 



•$• 




URING Ofmund's time King John granted a charter to 
the Church, giving to chapters and convents the power of 
electing their Heads without his interpofition. And though 
this privilege was foon interfered with by the Pope, it 
feems probable that the chapter of Roche exercifed their power in 
the election of Reginald, for we find in the " Fines," before 
mentioned, that he was a monk of great importance in Ofmund's 
time, and confequently the one whom from his experience the com- 
munity would wifh to have at their head. 

During the abbacy of Reginald the Abbey increafed confiderably 
both in wealth and lands, and in 1231 a new confirmation charter 
was obtained from Henry III., of which the following is a tranfla- 
tion : — 

Confirmation of Uing ^enrn tit 

" HENRY, by the grace of God, King of England, Lord of 
Ireland, and Duke of Normandy, and Aquitaine, and Count of 
Anjou, to Archbifhops, Bifhops, Abbots, Priors, Counts, Barons, 
Judges, Vifcounts, Provofts, Servants, and all Bailiffs, and his faith- 
ful fubjects, health ! We have infpected over a charter which King 
Richard, our uncle, made with the Abbey and monks of Roche, of 
donations, fales and grants reafonably made to them in thefe words: — 

Richard by the grace of God, &c, to Archbifhops, &c, health ! 
Know that we for the fafety of our foul and the fouls of all our pre- 
deceffors and succeffors have granted, and by this prefent charter have 
confirmed to the Abbey of Roche and the monks of the fame, 
ferving God according to the Ciftercian order, all donations and fales 
reafonably made to them, viz : the Abbey itfelf of Roche, with all 
its appurtenances, tenements and poffeflions which are in the counties 
of York, Nottingham and Lincoln, to wit, thofe which they them- 



's- 



-•$• 



REGINALD. 21 



felves hold in the territory of Maltby and Hooton with the wood of 
Lyndric as it is inclofed by the ditch near the faid Abbey, and as it 
is inclofed by the fame ditch towards Bernehill, and from the faid 
ditch towards Bernehill, and from Bernehill towards the Mill of the 
fame monks as it is included, and all poffeffions which they have in 
the territory of Anftean (Anston,) Tathewic (Todwick,) Bramleye, 
Braithwell, Stainton, Tikehill, Doncafter, Cuningefburgh (Conifbro',) 
Stanfale, Wellingleye, Wadeworth, Thirnfcohot (Thurnfcoe,) Mar, 
Newhus (Newhall,) Scalceby (Scawfby,) Afkern, Wareleye, Alnel- 
thorpe (Armthorpe,) Sandale, Barneby, Bramwick (Bramwith,) 
Steinford (Stainforth,) Wykerfley, Tange, Sonke, Blide (Blythe,) 
Farwath, Tordwith (Torworth,) Ulcotes (Oldcotes,) Babry (Bawtry,) 
Scirap (Stirap,) Anes (Oneafh,) Aexoure (Afhover,) Lyncoln, Wyvelf- 
worth, Rifeby, Wytrinton, and the grange of Rokefby (Roxby,) with 
all appurtenances, in granges, fheepfolds, houfes, buildings, men, rents, 
fervices, vaffals, lands, meadows, paftures, commons, woods, coppices, 
brufhwoods, heaths, pools, waters, flews, nfheries, mills, faltfprings, 
marfhes, turbaries," twiggeries, with free ingrefs and egrefs, and all 
other poffeffions and liberties within cities, boroughs and towns and 
without, as reafonable charters or deeds of their donors, fellers, 
granters or exchangers tefHfy of the porTeffions which they have, or 
which in future they may reafonably add to them, of whatfoever fee 
they may be. Wherefore, we will, and firmly enjoin, that the faid 
Abbey and the monks mall have and hold all the aforefaid well and 
peaceably, entirely and honourably, as a free and perpetual alms, free 
and quit from all gilds, b danegilds/ corngilds/ themantale/ fcutages/ 
fcotages/ hidages, h carucages, 1 fhires, J affifes, pleas, k fummonfes of queft, 
armies, mifcellaneous fuits, counties, 1 wapentakes, trithings,™ and from 
every mixed and common affife, and from fine which belongs to 
murder and larceny, and from aids to the fheriff and his bailiffs, and 

'"Turbary," right of cutting turf. In 13, Henry III., William, (on of Richard de Barneby granted to abbot 
Reginald, and his monks, for himfelf and his heirs, that whenever it fhould happen that he pared peats or dug 
turfs in his wood, with one or more of his men, it fhould be quite lawful for the faid abbot and his fucceffbrs to pare 
fods and dig turfs in the fame place, to the extent of half the number of the faid men, of one, to wit, or more, 
without impediment. — " Fines Ebor." 

b " Gilds," payments. 
c " Danegilds," Danegeld, a tribute impofed in Saxon times, to get a fund either for appearing the Danes, or for 
repelling their invafions ; fome fay for one purpofe, fome for another. King Egelred feems to have paid the Danes 
at five payments, 113,000 pounds, befides granting a yearly tribute of 48,000 pounds. 
d " Corngilds," Horngeld, a tax on horned animals. 
e " Themantale," or tenmentale ; the Saxons divided their hundreds into tens, or tithings, the head-men of 
which, took oath of allegiance for the reft. 

' " Scutages," Scutage, a tax upon every lhield ; that is, upon thofe that held lands by Knight's fervice. 

* " Scotages," Scotage, a cuftomary contribution (or mot) laid upon perfons according to their feveral abilities. 

h " Hidages," Hidage, a tax upon every hide of land ; a fort of land tax. 

' •' Carucages," Carucale, a tax upon every plough. 

i " Shires," the duty of attending upon the Sheriff, when he holds his courts. 

k "Pleas," a plea. An afTembly of Nobles for judicial purpofes. ' "Counties," comitatus, a county meeting. 

■ " Trithings." trithing, the proper form of riding, meaning a third part ; as morthing means the moor divifion. 



«$ 



*- 



22 



ROCHE ABBEY. 



-•*$• 



from all things to them pertaining, and from all other aids, and from 
the guardianfhip and working at caftles, walls, ramparts, itews, pools, 
bridges, caufeways, and other inclofures, and from warpenning," 
averpenning, b thethingpenning/ hengwith/ flomenwith, 6 blodwith/ 
leirwith, 5 flemenfrith, h * * * * forftal," haimfoken, j and from 
franc-pledge, u laftage, 1 ftallage," 1 carriage," parnnage, and from all 
occalions which relate to us. And from erfarts, p and rewards, and 
waftes, and inflections,' 1 and pleas of foreft./ in fuch manner however 
that if they (hall caufe any damage in our forefts, beyond thofe liber- 
ties conceded to them from us by our letters, we will that they be 
reafonably punifhed. We grant alfo, to them, that the faid monks 
fhall have the liberty of holding their own court over all their lands, 
with foke, s and fake,' toll," and theam/ and infangthef/ outfangthef/ 
and every kind of forfeiture of themfelves, their lands and men in 
whatever place they occur. Becaufe, we will that they mould hold 
all their property and pofTeffions as freely and quietly as any other 
church in all our land, which holds more freely and quietly by 
(than other.) We enjoin, alfo, that the faid monks and their 
brethren fhall be free and quiet from all toll/ pafTage/ pontage, ab and 
every other cuftom which pertains to us everywhere in our power, 
of all things which they fhall buy or fell for their own ufe, or fhall 
caufe to be conveyed or carried away by land or by water. And we 
forbid their being placed on trial or anfwering with refpedl to any 
of their pofTeffions, except before us or our Chief Juftice or by our 
fpecial mandate ; and that no one fhall opprefs or difquiet, vex or 
difturb them, their property or pofTeffions againfl the liberties of 



" " Warpenning, " money paid to the Sheriff or other Caftellan, inftead of aftual watching and warding over 
camps, and keeping fentiy. 

b " Averpenning," a tax paid to be free from the duty of fupplying beafts of burden for the king on his travels. 

c " Thethingpenning," or tithingpenny. 

d " Hengwith," or haugwith, a fine for hanging a man out of your own jurifdi&ion, or for letting him go. 

e " Flomenwith," flemenwith, a fugative. It is explained by Spelman as " mulcta fugetorum." 

' " Blodwith," a fine for fhedding blood. 

s "Leirwith," a fine for lying with a perfon unlawfully, whether by force or otherwife. 

h " Flemenfrith," the fuftentation of exiles. 

' " Forftal," the fine for occupying the ftreet before another, and fo preventing him from getting his wares to 

market. 

J " Haimfoken," a fine for a violation of the peace, or an affault, by forcible entry into a perfon's houfe. 

k " Franc-pledge," a token of freedom which the poffeffbr had to fhew every year. 

1 " Caftage," bottomry. m "Stallage," rent paid for the right of keeping a ftall in a market. 

"Carriage." ° " Parnnage," a sum paid for the right of feeding hogs in the king's foreft, on acorns, &c. 

P " Effarts," clearing forefts. * " Inflections," periodical perambulation of forefts. r " Foreft," waltes. 

" " Soke," the right of holding a court within your own lordfhip, for doing juitice between your vaffals. 

'"Sake," the lord's right of fettling controverfies within his manor. 

u "Toll," the right of holding a market in your manor. 

v " Theam," the right of taking cognizance of bail forfeitures. 

w " Infangthef," the right of judging a thief caught within the abbots manor. 

1 " Outfangtheif" the right of judging a thief caught without the manor. " Infang" when the thief is one of your 

own vaffals. " Outfang," when he is not. 

y " Toll," a tax exafted by the lords from thofe who traded in his market. 
1 " Paffage," turnpike toll. ob " Pantage," bridge toll. 



**r~ 



* 



REGINALD. 23 

their charters on pain of forfeiture of ten pounds. Signed by Mafter 
Malgerio, of York ; Mailer Roger Richmund ; Vivian, Archdeacon 
of Derby ; Robert of Thornfham, then Steward of Anjou ; William 
de Rupibus ; Girard de Furnivale ; Girard Brochard, and many 
others. Given at Sufa by the hand of Matter Docelin, then ful- 
filling the office of our chancellor, on the * * day of February, 
in the tenth year of our reign. 

We alfo, holding the grant and confirmation of the aforefaid King 
Richard, our uncle, ratified and granted for us and our heirs, as the 
faid charter which the faid Abbey and monks of Roche have, 
reafonably teftifies, grant and confirm the fame. Witnefs, the 
venerable fathers, P. Wynton, (Winchefter,) and W. Karleol, (Carlisle,) 
Bifhops ; Hugh de Bargo, in the county of Kent, Chief Juftice of 
England ; Ralph, fon of Nicholas ; Godfrey de Cramcumb ; John, 
fon of Philip ; Ralph * * * Richard, fon of Hugh ; Alfred 
le Cauz ; Henry de Chapel and others. Given by the hand of the 
venerable father Ralph, bifhop of Chichefter," our chancellor, at 
Winchefter, on the twenty-firft day of January, in the fixteenth year 
of our reign." 

If the reader will ftudy carefully this important charter he will 
obtain pretty correcl: views of the poffeflions, privileges and powers 
of the monks of Roche about this time. The preceding lift of 
ancient terms here interpreted, is very complete, and gives a good 
idea of the numerous taxes which were inflicted upon people in 
thofe days. 

A general difcontent in religious matters feems to have prevailed 
in England about this time, the people were difTatiffied with their 
priefts, and the priefts with the pope and the heads of the church. 

Jacke Upland in the name of the people was afking fuch ques- 
tions as the following : — 

"How many orders be there in earth ? If Chrift's rule be moft 
perfect why ruleft thou thee not thereafter ? Maketh your habit 
you men of religion ? If fo, the better your habit the better your 
religion ! What betokeneth your great hood, your fcaplery, your 
knotted girdle and your wide cope ? Why make ye you as dead men 
and be not dead, but more quick beggars than ye were before ? 
Why make men believe that your golden trentall fong for ten millings 
or five at leaft will bring fouls out of hell or out of purgatory ? If 
this be truth, certes, ye might bring all fouls out of pain, but ye are 



* Ralph Owille bifhop of Chichefter, was appointed Chancellor A.D. 1226, but the feals were taken from him 
in the 22nd year of the King's reign though he till remained Chancellor. 



* 



♦ 



24 ROCHE ABBEY. 



not, therefore ye are out of charity ! Why bufy ye not to hear the 
fhrift of poor folk as well as rich lords and ladies, fince they muft 
have more plenty of fhrift fathers than poor folk have ? Why make 
ye not your feafts to poor men and give them gifts as ye do the rich, 
fince poor men have more need than the rich ? &c, &c." 

Money was as it ever feems likely to be, the root of a great deal 
of evil. The Church fleeced the people and the Pope fleeced the 
Church. 

Speed gives this defcription by a monk of the governors of the 
Church of Rome at this time — " not feeking to winne mens fouls 
but their money ; oppreffing the religious by punifhments, ufuries 
and fimonie, without any care of juftice and honefly." 

The following quotations from a political fong in the time of 
Henry III. are alfo in the fame ftrain. — " Rome lying in the depths 
of turpitude, ranks virtues beneath filthy lucre." "Before the 
Cardinals and before the Patriarch a pound overcomes the Bible." 
" The archcifhop tread under feet the necks of the clergy and ex- 
tort tears in order that they may be dried with gifts." " If anyone 
begins to complain of an iujury, they immediately ftretch their ear 
to the caufe, and their hand to the gift." 

But befides the " rivers of filver" which flowed out of England 
into the Pope's purfe — which the people felt feverely — there was 
another hardfhip, which they found it difficult to bear. They com- 
plained that "the church and kingdom of England is grieved, that the 
patrons of the fame cannot prefent as they wont into their church, 
for the Pope's letters. But the churches are given to Romans which 
know neither the realm nor the tongue thereof; both to the great 
peril of fouls and robbing away the money out of the realm." Alfo, 
" that in the benefices given to Italians neither the old ordinances, 
nor relief to the poor, nor hofpitalities, nor any preaching of God's 
word, nor care of men's fouls, nor fervice in the church, nor yet the 
walls of the church be kept up and maintained." 

It can be well imagined that thefe Italians were not beloved, and 
that no opportunity was loft for illtreating them. In 1232 fays Fox, 
there was " a general fpoile of the Roman parfons in England," all 
their barns were wafted and the corn diftributed among the needy, 
the Italians hiding themfelves in monafteries and cells, thinking it 
better to lofe their goods than their lives. 

Under a threat from the Pope, the King ordered the Archbifhop 
of York and others to find out and punifh thofe in the north, who 
had been guilty of this work of fpoliation. Among others was one 

+ ^ 



,«'.._ 



V 



REGINALD. 



2 5 



Robert Twing, " a comely young man and a talle fouldiour, who of 
his own voluntary accord, with five others fervitures, whom he took 
with him abroad to work that feat, came to the King, openly pro- 
tecting himfelf to be the author of that deed doing, and laid he did 
it for hatred of the Pope and the Romaines; becaufe that by fentence 
of the Bifhop of Rome, and fraudulent circumvention of the Italians, 
he was bereved of the patronage of his benefice." The King re- 
commended him to go to the Pope, and gave him letters certifying 
his right, and begging for him the Pope's indulgence. The Barons 
alfo fent letters by him complaining of their rights of prefentation 
being infringed. The miffion was moft fuccefTful, and he returned 
with a fatiffactory anfwer to the Barons, and a countermand to the 
Legate and Archbifhop of York, not to iniift upon his former order, 
but to give inftitution to the clerk prefented by the faid Robert 
Twing. 

Fortunately for the wealth of Roche Abbey, Reginald continued 
to hold the proctorfhip for Cardinal Stephen, of all his rents in 
England, which Ofmund had, and out of which payments the 
" fucceflion of abbots" fays the monks provided for themfelves hand- 
fomely. The office of Proctor however was anything but a pleafant 
one, and Reginald, though probably quite eafy as far as money 
matters went, muft have lived anything but the quiet life we are 
led to imagine in wandering through the peaceful and fecluded 
valley which was his home. Belides the troubles of his proctorfhip 
Reginald had a long feud with the Prior of the Holy Trinity of 
York, and the Prior of Drax, about the prefentation to the Church 
of Roxby. Each could produce charters fhewing his indifputable 
right to it, and the jury who had to determine the queftion (although 
Reginald made two attempts to get it fettled) could not come to a 
decifion. It is however probable that the Prior of the Holy Trinity 
of York was the one who eventually made the prefentation. 

The following legend is given by Matthew Paris as having 
occurred in the year 1236 : — 

"About this fame time, in the month of May, near an abbacy 
called Roche, in the northern part of England, there appeared bands 
of well-armed Knights, riding on valuable horfes, with ftandards and 
fhields, coats of mail and helmets, and decorated with other military 
equipments; they ifTued from the earth, as it appeared, and dif- 

| 
•9* — -4$? 



«$. — — •$• 

26 ROCHE ABBEY. 

appeared again into the earth. This virion lafted for feveral days, 
and attracted the eyes of thofe who beheld it, as if by fafcination ; 
they rode in arrayed troops, and fometimes engaged in conflict, fome- 
times as if at a tournament, they fhivered their fpears into fmall 
fragments with a crafh ; the inhabitants faw them, but more from a 
diftance than near them, for they never remembered to have feen 
fuch a fight before, and many faid that the occurrence was not with- 
out its prefage. This occurred more plainly in Ireland and its con- 
fines, where they appeared as if coming from battle, and dragged 
their horfes after them wounded and broken down, without a rider, 
and the Knights themfelves were feverely wounded and bloody ; and 
what was more wonderful, their track plainly appeared impreffed 
on the ground, and the grafs was borne down and trampled on. 
Many people on feeing this virion fled before them in alarm, and be- 
took themfelves to the churches and carries, thinking that it was not 
an illufion, but a real battle. Thefe occurrences came to our 
knowledge fome years after they happened, from a report and true 
account of the event obtained from the Earl of Gloucefter, and by 
the evidence of many other perfons. a " 

This legend is very fimilar to that of the fpedlre horfemen of 
Southerfell in Cumberland. Troups of horfemen were there feen, 
and " they feemed to come from the lower part of the fell, becoming 
firfl vifible at a place called Knott ; they then moved in regular order 
in a curvilinear path along the fide of the fell, until they came 
oppofite to Blakehills, when they went over the mountain and dif- 
appeared. The laft, or laft but one, in every troop, galloped to the 
front and then took the fwift walking pace of the reft." 

The fame kind of apparitions are faid to have been witnefTed 
above Vallombrofa early in the fourteenth century. On the night 
of an extraordinary deluge, fays Giovanni Villami, " a hermit, being 
at prayer in his hermitage above Vallombrofa, heard a furious 
trampling as of many horfes ; and crofling himfelf and hurrying to 
the wicket, faw a multitude of infernal horfemen, all black and terrible 
riding by at full fpeed. When in the name of God he demanded 
their purpofe ; one replied, ' we are going if it be His pleafure to 
drown the city of Florence for its wickednefs. b '" 

In Suffolk there is alfo a legend of this kind. At the little village 
of Acton the park gates were wont to fly open at midnight "with- 
outen hands," and a carriage drawn by four fpectral horfes and 
accompanied by headlefs grooms and outriders, proceeded with great 



Matthew Paris, Bonn's Tranflation, page 33. b Notes and Queries, Vol. vii., page 304, 1st Series, 



*" 



+ 



REGINALD. 



27 



rapidity from the park to a fpot called " the Nurfery corner" and were 
then loft fight of. a 

A fimilar cortege to this laft, ufed to be feen near Bury St. 
Edmunds. It went from the pariih of Great Barton acrofs the fields, 
regardlefs of fences, and proceeded to a deep hole called " Philis's 
Hole. b " 

Reginald ceafed to be abbot of Roche in 1238. 

s Notes and Queries, Vol. v., page 1 86. b Notes and Queries, Vol. v., page 365. 




* 



*- 




MtijariX 



1238— 1254. 




fpROM two old charters we find that during the reign 
of abbot Richard, the Abbey larder was pretty well fup- 



plied with the good things of this life, and both for feaft and 
faft days the brethren were well cared for. The firft char- 
ter was granted by the King in 1250, and was one of free warren in 
all their demefne lands of Roche, Armthorpe and Brancliffe. This 
was a privilege rarely granted to any but the lords, and the Abbot 
of Roche was not returned as lord of Armthorpe until 1 3 1 7. The 
other charter was obtained from William, Earl of Warren, fon of 
Hameline : — 

Cljarto* of tteilliam, <£ari of Wstzm. 

" WILLIAM, Earl of Warren, to his fifhermen, of Brademer, 
health ! Know that I, by an impulfe of charity, have given to God 
and the Church of St. Mary of Roche, and to the monks, fervants 
of God in that place, the tithe of the whole of the refidue of all my 
eels from all my fifheries, which are of the parifh of Hatfield, Thorne, 
and Fifhlake, with the exception of the full tithe of my eels which 
belongs to the monks of Lewes, as a pure and perpetual charity. 
Wherefore, I command you, that you make them have the aforefaid 
tithe without any delay or difficulty, and in teflimony of this thing, 
I fend you thefe my letters patent. Farewell ! " 

In 1 244 we find Richard acting as one of the executors of the 
will of William Percy, and undertaking to pay into the treafury 
" one pound, which the faid William owed the King for his relief, 
and thirty pounds which he owed to the King for an aid granted to 
the King towards marrying his eldeft daughter ! " 

We find from the "York fabric Rolls"" published by the Surtees 
Society that the chantry of St. Mary Magdalen in the crypt of the 

a Page 294. 



*- 



•$* 



* 



-* 



RICHARD. 



29 



Cathedral Church of York, was founded about 1240, for the foul 
of Galfrid de Norwich, late Dean of York, by Richard, abbot of 
Roche, Simon, precentor of York, Peter de Munkegate and Robert 
de St. Paul, his executors. In 1364 there was no fervice at this 
chantry on account of the rebuilding of the choir, and the chaplain 
celebrated at St. Andrew's altar. 

We alfo find from the fame " Rolls"* that the abbot of Roche 
made a bequeft of 3-r., by the hand of Thomas Sbyfon to the fabric 
of York Minfter, probably in fupport of the above chantry. 

ROBERT, according to a deed of Sibilla de Sancta Maria now in 
the pofTeffion of Mr. Mitchell of Sheffield, was Cellarer of Roche 
Abbey at this time. The deed is dated at Rotherham in 1239, and 
contains befides the name of Robert, that of William de Rupe, who 
was probably a monk of Roche. 

Richard prefided over the abbey fixteen years, and died or re- 
ligned in 1254. 

• Page 3 a. 




*$*" 



•$• 



•*• 




alter. 



1254 — 1268. 




S ALTER, or Walter de Wadeworth, as his name is 
given in an old charter, was elected head of Roche 
in 1254, and if we may judge from the fmall fcraps of 
hiftory remaining he muft have led a much more active 
life than his predeceffor, and it might be added one of far lefs com- 
fort, for we find him in 1256 applying to the Pope and obtaining 
from him the following bull : — 

2MI of Bthan ito* to tfje SUfcnot ano Consent of ftocJje, contenting 
not paying u£urn to tfyciz €rcoitor£, certain compact^ nottoitf^ 

^tanning* a 

" URBAN, bifhop, fervant of the fervants of God, to his beloved 
fons, the abbot and convent of the monaftery of Roche of the 
Ciftercian order, in the diocefe of York, health and apoftolical 
benediction ! As your petition exhibited to us contained * certain 
perfons (traders in lucre in the cities of the diocefe and the province 
of York) who have extorted much from you by ufurious richnefs, 
aiTerting that you are bound to them for certain fums of money, 
very frequently difquiet you with regard to fuch moneys, by demand- 
ing payment for the fame.' Wherefore, you have humbly fupplicated 
us of our paternal care to fee and take meafures about thefe things. 
We therefore, yielding to your fupplication by the authority of thefe 
prefents grant you power to deduct from the fums of money of this 
kind for which you are bound to laymen, what has thus been extorted, 
on fuch fort that ye be not at all bound to make fatiffaction for thefe 
(fums) themfelves, or may be compelled to pay them againft your 
will, but that the faid laymen be bound to reckon them up towards 
the principal ; that you alfo may be able to refufe the interefts 

a Lambeth Library : No. 654, Art. 53. (In dorfo) Urbanus contra uiurarios fpecial. 



«. 



♦ 



WALTER. 31 



promifed to them, and redemand thofe which you have paid up to 
this time, even though you have granted and given over to them 
your own or any other perfon's letters for payment of thefe very in- 
terefts to thofe fame laymen, or anything elfe in lieu of them and 
not requiring them again. Moreover we thought fit that ye be 
abfolved from all letters and apoftolic indulgences already obtained, 
or yet to be obtained, alfo from the aid of the canonical and civil law 
and all exceptions whatfoever, and ye have alfo given your oath. Let 
no man therefore whatever infringe the letter of this our grant and 
abfolution, or by ram daring go againft it. But if any one mould 
prefume to attempt to do fo let him know that he will incur the 
wrath of Almighty God and the bleffed Peter and Paul his ApofHes. 

Given at the Old City, (Civita Vecchia) February * * in 
the fecond year of our Pontificate." 

Befides this bull, which appears rather arbitrary, Walter feven 
years afterwards obtained the following : — 

23ull of Sttlcranocr in, to tfje S^onaStcrn of ftocfjc, of tfjc Cistercian 

orocr m tJje diocese of fork, to allotu tfjem to edenrate satrcb 

office^ in tfycit cities, totons, granges ano IjoiiScS. 3 

" ALEXANDER, bifhop, fervant of the fervants of God, to his 
beloved fons, the abbot and convent of Roche, of the Ciftercian order 
in the Diocefe of York, health and apoftolical benediction for their 
devotion ! We yielding to your prayers, by the authority of thefe 
prefents grant to you, for yourfelves and your houfeholds, licence to 
celebrate facred offices in your cities, towns, granges and houfes with- 
out incurring any penalty at law. Let no man therefore whatever 
infringe upon the letter of this our grant, or rafhly dare to go againft 
it. But if any one mould prefume to attempt to do fo let him know 
that he will incur the wrath of Almighty God and the Hefted Peter 
and Paul his Apoftles. 

Given at Latera, * * May, in the fecond year of our 
Pontificate — 1263." 

It does not appear that the licence granted by this bull was ever 
exercifed. The " Mona/licon" defcribes Dunfcroft, one of the Abbey 
granges near Doncafter, as a cell of Roche, but Mr. Hunter is more, 
decided in his opinion that fuch was not the cafe. 

In the " Placitorum Abbreviation^ we find the following 
fuggeftive fragments : — 

Henry III. " The abbot of Roche offered himfelf on the 4th 

1 Lambeth Library : No. 643, f. 8. [This bull is partially damaged.] b Page 130, 136. 



••$" 



*£— 4$ 

32 ROCHE ABBET. 

day againfl Richard de Barneby, Hugh and Alexander his brothers, 
on the plea why they had beaten, enormoufly wounded and illtreated 
againfl the peace &c., Alan de Smetheton and Nicholas de Rypun 
his monks and brother Thomas the Granger. 

And they did not come &c. And the Sheriff commanded that 
Richard mould be attached by Alexander de Stubbes and Robert 
Carzon ; and Hugh by Thomas, fon of Hugh de Barnby and Nicholas 
de Bramwith ; and Alexander by Thomas Thoc and Thomas de 
Sandal. Thereupon they give fufficient pledges that they will on the 
Octave &c. 

Henry III. The abbot of Roche by his attorney &c. Againfl 
Richard de Barneby, Hugh and Alexander his brother, on the plea 
(aforefaid.) And they did not come &c. Thereupon they were all 
in mercy. And let the Sheriff diftrain upon their lands &c. So 
that he mould have their bodies Sec." 

What the caufe of this quarrel was does not appear, but it was 
moft likely about game. Barnby Grange was one of the firfl pof- 
femons of the monks, and remained in their hands as long as their 
houfe flood. It was given them by Gervis de Barnby. 

In December, 1 264, certain Bifhops, sundry Barons, an unheard of 
crowd of Priors and Abbots (among whom was Walter, abbot of 
Roche,) and from each county two mofl loyal, upright and difcreet 
Knights, and from each borough two of the more difcreet, loyal and 
upright of their citizens and burgeffes were called together by the 
following mandate, to confult with Simon de Montfort, who " in 
all but name a king," having defeated the Royal army at Lewes held 
King Henry captive at the time this fummons was iffued: — 

J>ummon£ to parliament. 

"HENRY, by the grace of God, King of England, Lord of Ireland 
and Duke of Aquitaine, to the venerable father in Chrifl, Walter by 
the fame grace, Abbot of Roche, greeting ! Forafmuch as after 
ferious contefls and diflurbances which had long been taking place 
in our realm, our dearefl fon Edward was given up and detained as a 
hoflage in order to fecure and confirm peace in our realm, and now, 
bleffed be God ! that the aforefaid difturbance is quieted, it behoves 
us to take meafures for making fecure provifion for the liberation of 
the fame, and for confirming and completing full fecurity and tran- 
quillity of peace, the honour of God and the benefit of our whole 
realm, and about certain other affairs of our realm which we are un- 
willing to difpatch without your advice and that of our other prelates 



*- 



WALTER. 33 

and magnates ; we therefore fend this our mandate, defiring you by 
that fidelity and love in which you are bound to us, to poftpone every 
prefling matter and lay afide all other affairs, and be with us at 
London on the Octave of St. Hilary next to come, to difcufs with us 
and the aforefaid prelates and magnates whom we have caufed to be 
fummoned to the fame place, and to give your advice, and this as 
you love us and our honour and yours, and the common tranquillity 
of our realm, by no means omit. 

Witnefs the King at Worcester, December 14th." 

Prior to this time parliament had confifted of only eleven prelates 
and twenty-three peers. Now more than one hundred of the in- 
ferior dignified clergy, two knights from each county and two repre- 
fentatives from each borough were fummoned, an innovation which 
proved too popular to be laid afide when the King regained his 
liberty. 

This parliament affembled on January 28th, 1265. 

On the 28th of May of the fame year, Prince Edward efcaped 
from his guards and joined Mortimer. On Auguit. 4th he took 
the field againft Simon de Montfort at Evefham, defeated and killed 
him and fet his father the King at liberty, notwithftanding that 
parliament had enacted that neither the King nor Prince Edward 
mould aggrieve Montfort or his afibciates for their pari: conduct. 

Whatever may be faid againit Simon de Montfort it fhould always 
be remembered that to him we owe the three eftates of parliament, 
king, lords and commons. 

Befides attending parliament Walter would have to attend a 
general chapter now and then in France. In 1256 all the Englifh 
Ciftercian abbots were invited to attend on St. Michael's day, to con- 
fider whether they mould grant an aid to the Pope and King Henry 
III., which they declined. 

We may judge what a confufed and turbulent flate the country 
was in at this time, by an Inquifition which was taken this fame 
year (1 265) — "Whether Walter had intruded himfelf into the manor 
of Sandbec by occafion of the troubles late in England, and the jury 
found that he had not, but that he had been in pofleffion before the 
troubles, in the troubles and after the troubles." 

Walter the eight abbot of Roche and the firft to fit in parlia- 
ment died in 1268. 



4^ — -fr 



*■ 



* 




Elan, 3or&an atttr PjtUp, 



1268 — 1286. 




LL that we know of thefe three abbots is that they reigned 
between the above dates. Alan may have been the Alan 
de Smetheton, who in the laft abbot's time was one of the 
monks "beaten and wounded." 
In 1 275 we find from the "Hundred Rolls" that two other monks 
got into trouble at Armthorpe. A complaint is made againft Richard 
de Heydon, fenefchall to Earl Warenn who fent William de Counhal, 
Alan Fitz Chapel and many others, "To the grange of the Abbot of 
Roche at Armthorpe, beyond the liberties of the faid Earl, and took 
brother Richard the granger, and John the forefter of the faid Abbot, 
becaufe the faid John had fhot a certain animal in the aforefaid wood 
of the faid abbot, and had purfued it into the warren of the faid Earl, 
and he (Richard de Heydon) imprifoned them at Coningfbro, and 
detained them until the faid Abbot came and paid a fine of 40/. for 
the faid brother, — which he fully paid ; but the faid John he would 
not let go on any account, but kept him in prifon for a whole entire 
year." This was indeed very hard upon John the forefter, especially 
if he were kept in that damp circular pit which is now to be feen in 
the keep of the Caftle of Coningfbro'. This fame Richard is alfo 
accufed of having praclifed " diabolical and innumerable oppreflions." 
The affairs of the Abbey feem to have glided quietly on about this 
time, the only other thing worthy of notice is that the abbot's right 
to free warren in Roche, Armthorpe and Brancliffe was difputed, 
which as we have already feen was given them in Abbot Richard's 
time by Henry III. The abbot came in anfwer to the fummons 
" And faid that he claimed free warren in Roche &c, by charter of 
Lord Henry the King, father of our Lord the King that now is, 
granted in the 35 th year of his reign, which he produced and which 
teftified that the faid Lord the King granted to a certain abbot and 
convent of Roche, predecefiors of that abbot, that they and their 



+ - 



-«$* 



«*" 



ALAN, JORDAN AND PHILIP. 



35 



^ 



fucceffors for ever mould have free warren in all their demefne lands 
of Roche, Armthorpe and Brancliffe in the county of York, &c." 

Confiderable poffemons ftill continued to fall into the hands of 
the monks of Roche, notwithstanding the reftridions of Mortmain 
Acl: which was panned at this time, and provided that no perfon 
religious or other mould buy or fell or receive under pretences 
of a gift or term of years, or any other title whatfoever, nor mould 
by any art or ingenuity appropriate to himfelf any lands or tenements 
in mortmain (in mortua manuj upon pain that the immediate lord of 
the fee, or, on his default for one year, the lords paramount, and in 
default of all of them, the King might enter thereon as a forfeiture. 
This however was foon got over by the religious houfes fetting up a 
fictitious title to the land which it was intended they mould have, 
and then bringing an adtion to recover it againft the tenant, who by 
fraud and collufion made no defence, and thereby judgment was given 
for the religious houfe, which then recovered the land by a fentence 
of law upon a fuppofed prior title. 

Philip ceafed to be abbot in 1286. 




* 



"$* 



*- 



♦$• 




STjjomas, 



1286 — 1287. 




HOMAS profeffed canonical obedience to John Romaine, 

Archbifhop of York, on the 7th non. Nov., 1286, and held 

his abbacy a year all but a few days, but beyond that, 

nothing is known of the life of this abbot. 

In the lift of the abbots of Roche given by Dr. Burton in his 

" Monajlicon Eboracense" no mention is made of this abbot, and the 

prefidency of Stephen the next abbot is made to commence a year 

earlier than it really did. Thomas terminated his fhortrulein 1287. 




■ + 



j 



+ 



* 




st«pfr*tt. 



1287 — 1300. 




TEPHEN profeffed canonical obedience as abbot of 
Roche, to John Romaine, Archbifhop of York, in 1287. 
The following is his form of profeffion : — " I brother 
Stephen, abbot of Roche promife that I will perpetually 
fhow fubjection, reverence and obedience as appointed by the Holy 
Fathers, according to the rule of the order of St. Benedict, to thee 
Father John, Archbifhop of York, and to thy fuccefTors canonically 
to be fubfHtuted, and to the Holy See of York, fave my order, and 
this with my own hand I fubfcribe. Given at Thorpe, 3 non. 
November." * 

Stephen held his abbacy during ftormy times and muft have lived 
any thing but a peaceful and fecluded life. When Durandus poor and 
unknown firft fheltered himfelf in a fecluded valley beneath fome rocks, 
a life of fimplicityfeemed pofiible,but now — with poffeffions innumer- 
able and fcattered, with courts to prefide over and law fuits to anfwer 
and with chapters and parliaments to attend ; — peace muft have been 
impoflible. However alluring it may appear in the abftxacl: to live 
in undifturbed repofe, it can never be the lot of man ; and Stephen 
perhaps was none the lefs happy in having to perform in addition to 
his duties as a religious fuperior, thofe of a temporal and patriotic 
lord. 

In 1293 a Norman and an Englifh veffel met off the coaft near 
Bayonne and landed for water. Both crews arriving at the well at 
the fame time, a quarrel enfued which ended in one of the Normans 
being killed. To revenge this the Normans feized an Englifh fhip 
and having hanged at the yard-arm together with fome dogs feveral 
of the crew, they again abandoned the veffel. The Englifh retaliated 
in a like barbarous manner on all French fhips without diftinclion, 



Reg. John Romaine, page 12. 



*" 



■* 



•$• — — & 

3 8 ROCHE ABBET. 

and the French revenged themfelves again in return on the Englifh 
and Saxons, until the fea became a fcene of piracy and murder. At 
length a fleet of two hundred Norman veffels failing fouth for wine, 
and committing the ufual barbarities on all the Englifh mips they 
met with, fo roufed the ire of the Englifh in the fea ports that they 
fent out fixty armed veffels to meet them on their return. An obftin- 
ate battle was the refult, in which the Englifh were victorious, and it 
is faid that the lofs of the French was 15,000 men. In confequence 
of this defeat, Philip the French King, demanded reparation and re- 
ftitution, and cited Edward as Duke of Guienne to appear before his 
court in Paris, to anfwer for thefe offences. To prevent a national 
war, King Edward fent over to Paris his brother Edmund, to 
arrange matters and prevent further hoftilities. But Philip 
would be appeafed only on one condition. Edward muft give 
him feizin and poffeflion of the province of Guienne ; he would 
then feel his honour fatiffied, and promifed to reftore it immediately. 
Edward who was engroffed with the Scots agreed, and Philip as 
might have been expected, finding himfelf fo eafily in poffeflion, 
again cited Edward, and for non-appearance condemned him, and 
Guienne by a formal fentence was declared forfeited and annexed to 
the crown of France. King Edward enraged and afhamed at being 
fo over-reached determined at once to invade France, and recover 
his loft territories. To do this effectively he invoked the aid of 
every one, and even went fo far as to empty the jails and make 
foldiers of thoufands of the prifoners. Of courfe the abbot of Roche 
having intereft and money had to do his fhare, and he received the 
following fummons to attend a council of the clergy. 

"THE King to his beloved in Chrift, the abbot of Roche, 
greeting ! In what manner the King of France has malicioufly 
cheated us of our territory of Guienne, and has thence by fraud 
ejected us, unjuftly detaining the fame, we believe is not unknown 
to your fraternity. With a view therefore to recovering that territory 
from the hands of the faid King, we rely upon your counfel and aid, 
as well as that of the reft of the prelates and clergy of our realm, 
whom this bufinefs touches equally with ourfelves, being forthcoming. 
Therefore, we have arranged (God willing) to be in perfon at Weft- 
minfter on the feaft of St. Matthew the Apoftle and Evangelift, next 
coming, to treat together with you and the reft of the prelates and 
clergy of the faid realm, towards applying a remedy againft this fort 
of malice. We command you, firmly enjoining you by the faith and 
love in which you are bound to us, that you be prefent in perfon at 
the faid day and place &c. 

i 
<& — ~ — •$• 



STEPHEN. 39 

Witnefs the King, at Portfmouth-, Auguft 19, 1294." 

The King opened the affembly in perfon. After ftating the 
neceffities of the war in Guienne, he requeued both their prayers and 
their aid. " Becaufe, my good Lords," he continued " You fee that 
the Earls, Barons, and Knights not only contribute their goods, but 
expofe their lives in your defence ; and as to you therefore, who 
cannot venture your bodies, it is fitting that you mould afford fome 
aid from your purfes." After many debates the clergy voted two 
tenths, but the King was not fatiffied with this, and at length after 
much threatening they confented to give what the King demanded, 
a moiety. 

The army which Edward fent at firft, met with many fuccefies, 
but the advantages obtained were loft by the Governor of Podenfac, 
who, when that fmall fortrefs was befieged by the French Com- 
mander, capitulated, and agreed to articles, which though favourable 
to the Englifh, left the Gafcons prifoners at difcretion. The French 
Commander immediately hanged fifty of them, and the confequence 
was that the Gafcons enraged at their comrades being delivered up fo 
eafily, joined the French, and the Englifh were obliged to capitulate 
and return. Not content with the advantage thus obtained, Philip 
threatened an invafion of England, and even made a fudden attempt 
on Dover which he burnt. 

Edward in trouble at this and fearing for the fafety of his kingdom, 
was again in need, and afked for parliamentary fupplies. Stephen 
therefore with others received a fummons to parliament. 

" THE King to his beloved in Chrift, the Abbot of Roche, 
greeting ! In what manner the King of France has fraudulently and 
craftily cheated us of our territory of Guienne, by unjuftly detaining 
it from us is known to you. Now however, not content with the 
aforefaid fraud and malice, having got together a very large fleet and 
a great multitude of warriors, with which he has now in a hoftile 
manner invaded our realm and the inhabitants of the faid realm, and 
purpofes to blot out entirely from the land the Englifh tongue, (which 
God avert !) if his power correfpond to the deteftable intent of his 
iniquitous conception. Inafmuch then as forefeen darts are lefs 
injurious, and your intereft as well as that of the reft of the citizens 
of the faid realm is at flake in this matter, we command and enjoin 
you by the faith and love with which you are firmly bound to us, to 
be prefent on the Sunday next after the feaft of St. Martin in the 
winter next to come, at Weftminfter in perfon." November 13, 
23 Edward I. 

*— — * 



*■ 



4o 



ROCHE ABBEY. 



-+ 



But Edward's fears were groundlefs. England did not fall into 
the hands of the French, nor was the Englifh language blotted out. 
After making an attempt upon Dover the French forces were com- 
pelled to retire. 

The differences with France ftill remained unfettled. Abbot 
Stephen was fummoned again to appear in perfon at Bury St. 
Edmunds on the morrow of All Souls, (November 3, 1296) for the 
purpofe of confirming the grant of a fubiidy ftated to have been 
promifed in cafe the King of France mould refufe to conclude a truce 
of peace. 3 

A fifth was demanded from the clergy, but they refufed to grant 
it, faying that both themfelves and the King would be excommuni- 
cated if they did fo, as it would be contrary to the constitution lately 
publifhed by Pope Boniface VIII., forbidding the clergy to contri- 
bute anything belonging to the Church to a fecular Prince. The 
King was pleafed for the time to receive this anfwer, and the bufinefs 
was adjourned to another parliament to be held at London in the 
beginning of the enfuing month of January. 

When the clergy reaffembled purfuant to this adjournment, they 
again deliberated whether they could comply with the King's 
demands and after much difcuffion came to the conclufion that they 
could not. The King became extremely indignant at their anfwer 
and put the whole of them out of the protection of the law. " If 
they went abroad, in quefl of maintenance, they were difmounted, 
robbed of their horfes and clothes, abufed by every ruffian, and no 
redrefs could be obtained by them for the moft violent injury." The 
clergy were foon compelled by thefe vexations to yield, and the 
Archbifhop elect of York with many others compounded. The 
clergy in the north yielded fooner than thofe in the fouth, as the 
former were in daily dread of the Scots, and were glad to pay any- 
thing for their protection. 

But befides having to give money the abbot of Roche was ex- 
pected to find men with horfes and arms. In 1297 Edward to 
increafe his army which he intended to direct againft France, 
required the attendance of every proprietor of land, poffefTed of twenty 
pounds a year ; and Stephen confequently received a command 
limilar to the following from the Sheriffs of Yorkshire, Nottingham- 
shire and Derbyshire, in all of which counties he had property. 

" ON the part of our Lord the King I have efpecially fummoned 
required and firmly enjoined on all my bailly, poffefling twenty pounds 

a This fummons was repeated. 



4p- 



•$. — — ^ 

STEPHEN. 41 

of land and rent per annum and more, to be at London on the 
Sunday next after the Octave of St. John Baptift ; with horfes and 
arms ready with the King in perfon to crofs over to foreign parts." 
Soon after this the Sheriff received another brief, and he continues, 
"AFTERWARDS by another mandate which came to me 
afterwards, all the aforefaid are premonifhed to be at Nottingham at 
the aforefaid day and in form aforefaid, before William de Ormefby the 
affignee of the Earl Warrenne, to crofs over into the parts of Scotland 
and to do there what the faid William on the part of our Lord the 
King may enjoin upon them. To the Abbot of Roche." 

From the above documents it would feem that Stephen in his 
time muft have been a bufy and an important perfonage. But he 
had yet another duty to perform. 

When a royal perfon died the clergy were required to celebrate 
his or her exequies. The following is a copy of the order received 
by Stephen to celebrate thofe of Edmund, brother of King Edward ; 
and who, as the reader has feen, was fent by the King to France, to 
make peace with Philip. 

" KING Edward to his beloved in Chrift, the abbot of Roche. 
The moft High Creator of all things, has created human nature after 
his own image and fimilitude and has placed it, being conftituted of 
foul and body, in this miferable world for this end, that having 
at his will and pleafure fmifhed the courfe of this life as of fome 
journey, that of which it is compofed mould be refolved into its 
elements, and on the return of the body to the earth from which it 
proceeds the fpirit mould return to the Lord by whom it was given. 
And this journey no one can perform without coming in contact 
with many defilements, juft as the feet of travellers cannot pafs along 
without the adhenon of duft. Wherefore thofe who are parting 
from the prefent world greatly ftand in need of being affifted by the 
prayers of the living. Inafmuch therefore as that illuftrious man 
Edmund, our moft dear and only brother, who was always ready, 
devoted and faithful in our interefts and the intereft of our realm, 
and in whom manifold virtuous and gracious gifts fhone forth, has 
been withdrawn from this light, as feemed good to the Creator, (on 
account of which withdrawal we reckon ourfelves and the faid realm 
to be rendered moft defolate) which we announce to you not with- 
out grievous bitternefs of foul : we earneftly require and afk your 
friendihip now that we are folemnly and with devotion celebrating 
the exequies of our faid brother, that you commend his foul to the 
moft High God, with ringing of marTes and other aids of devout 

•$• — •$* 



•$♦ 



4 2 



ROCHE ABBET. 



prayers, fpecially enjoining the fame upon all and lingular the religious 
under your charge. Witnefs the King at Aberdeen, * * * * 
1296." 

Almoft the laft act which Stephen performed mull have been 
that of attending the parliament held two months before the election 
of the next abbot, John. 

This parliament was held in London on the 6th of March, 1 306, 
"for the fafety of the crown and the welfare of the people," and 
the abbot of Roche was commanded to be there in perfon, "to 
advife with the other * magnates' and 'proceres' on the affairs of the 
King and the kingdom." 







♦ - 



-•$* 



*- 



& 




3ol)n. 



300. 




OHN'S abbacy was of fhorter continuance than that of any 
other abbot of Roche. He profeffed canonical obedience to 
Thos. Corbridge, Archbifhop of York, on May 30th, 1300, 
and religned or died before December 18th of the fame 
year." This profeffion was made in the Chapel of Lautun 
(Laughton), in the prefence of the Prior of Workfop and 
other Priors, W. de Wentworth, S. de Rotherham and 
many others. 
John was fummoned to attend parliament at Lincoln on September 
25th, or January 20th, 1 301. This fummons had to be anfwered by 
the next abbot Robert. The only recorded act which it is probable 
was performed by John, was that of celebrating, on 25th September, 
by command of the King, the exequies of "that noble man Edmund, 
formerly Earl of Cornwall, our moil dear coufin who was always ready, 
devoted and faithful to our interefts and the interefts of our realm 
&c." 

a Reg. Thomas Corbridge, page 5. 




* 



* 




3&0iwi 



1300— 1324. 




OBERT profeffed canonical obedience as abbot of Roche 
at Scroby, on December 18th, 1300, and held his abbacy 
twenty-four years. He led a life of great activity, and 
the troubles he had to contend with, as we mall prefently 
fee, were not a few. He was in conftant attendance at parliament. 

In 1 30 1 he had to attend the parliament to which the former 
abbot John had been fummoned, and which was held at Lincoln, on 
the Octave of St. Hilary, 20th January. " Great debates arofe at 
this parliament reflecting the perambulation of the forefts." 

In 1302 Robert was fummoned to parliament at Weftminfter, 
on the Octave of the Nativity of St. John the Baptift, ift July, in 
order to treat and advife on certain arduous affairs with the other 
prelates and nobles. 

Again in 1302 he was fummoned to parliament at Wefr.minft.er, 
at Michaelmas — prorogued to the morrow of St. Edward, 14th 
October. The Scots were once more troublefome, and abbot Robert 
had again to furnifh men and arms. 

In 1305 he was fummoned to parliament at Weftminfter, on 
Tuefday, the fifteenth day after the Purification, 1 6th February — pro- 
rogued to the Sunday next after the Feaft of St. Matthias the 
Apoftle, 28th February, to confult "on certain affairs which fpecially 
concern the kingdom of England, and alfo the fettlement of Scotland." 

In 1 307 Robert was fummoned to the celebrated Parliament held 
at Carlhle, on the Octave of St. Hilary, 20th January. At this 
parliament was paffed the " Statute of Carlifle," in which all religious 
perfons were forbidden to fend any tax beyond the fea. " Alien 
fuperiors having fet divers unwonted and heavy payments, and im- 
pofitions on the monafteries in fubjection to them in England, the 
King can no longer fuffer fuch lories and injuries to be winked at, 
and provides a fufficient remedy &c." 



*- 



— * 



*■ 



ROBERT. 45 



But befides this (which muft have been a great relief to many 
monafteries,) very important alterations were made in the ufe of feals 
in religious houfes. 

" AND further, our Lord the King hath ordained and eftablifhed 
that the abbots of the orders, Ciftercianfes and Premonftranfes, and 
other religious orders, whofe feal hath heretofore been ufed to remain 
only in the cuftody of the abbot, and not of the convent, fhall here- 
after have a common feal, and fhall depofit the fame in the cuftody 
of the prior of the monaftery or houfe, and four of the moft worthy 
and difcreet men of the convent of the fame houfe, to be laid up in 
fafe-keeping under the private feal of the abbot of the fame houfe ; 
fo that the abbot, or fuperior of the houfe which he doth govern, 
fhall by no means be able of himfelf to eftablifh any contract or 
obligations as heretofore he hath ufed to do. And if it fortune here- 
after that writings of obligations, donations, purchafes, fales, aliena- 
tions, or of any other contracts, be found fealed with any other feal 
than fuch a common feal kept as is aforefaid, they fhall be adjudged 
void and of no force in law." 

This ftatute was fent with the King's letters patent to the abbots 
of the undermentioned places : — Eglifton, St. Agatha, Jeroval, 
Byland, Fountains, Roche, Welbeck, RufFord, Gerwedon, and 
Spalding. 

Why this ftatute was fent to fo few abbots does not appear, nor 
why the abbot of Roche was fingled out as one of the few. It 
however was a ftep of great importance, for hitherto the monks had 
had very little control over the management of the pofTeffions of the 
monaftery to which they belonged. It was to them an enfranchife- 
ment fimilar to the introduction of the commons into parliament. 

At a council held in St. Paul's Church, at London, in 1237, 
before the Pope's Legate, it was decreed : "that in order to prevent 
the iffuing of falfe inftruments, all archbifhops, bifhops, abbots, 
priors, deans, &c, fhould hold feals ; in the granting of the ufe of 
which, faithful and circumfpect caution was to be obferved ; faithful, 
that it might be eafily granted, to thofe who required it, and circum- 
fpect, that it might be denied to falfe and fraudulent perfons," 

Fig. 1, Plate X. is the fecretum, or private feal of the abbot of 
Roche. Bifhops and abbots ufually had oval feals. The former held 
the paftoral ftaff in the left hand, abbots in the right. Symbols 
were alfo fometimes introduced, indicating the worth and character 
of the abbot, In this feal the Jlar is the fymbol of the Epiphany. 

The crefcent fignifies the increafe of the gofpel. 



"*• 



*- 



46 ROCHE ABBEY. 



The jlowers denote purity of life. 

At the death of an abbot his feal was fometimes broken by a 
hammer, upon one of the fteps before the altar. 

Fig. 2, Plate X. is a fketch of the matrix of the private feal of 
the abbot of Roche, now in the pofTeffion of G. S. Foljambe, Efq., 
of Ofberton Hall, near Workfop, in whofe family it has been for 
feveral generations. 

The earlieft common feals which were cut directly after the 
paffing of the ftatute of Carlifle, bore the reprefentation of the patron 
faint of the Abbey ; but in later feals the abbot took the place of the 
faint, to whom he is reprefented praying. Before the reign of 
Edward the III. thefe faints and abbots were feated upon thrones, 
but after this time they are reprefented {landing beneath canopies and 
arches. 

Fig. 3, Plate X. is a reprefentation of the earlieft common feal 
of Roche, which has yet been found. It is appended to a deed made 
in 1385, which is now in the pofTeffion of Mr. Mitchell, of Sheffield. 
This feal has never before been publifhed. 

Fig. 4, Plate X. is the laft common feal of Roche. It was with 
this that the deed furrendering the Abbey to King Henry VIII. at 
the difTolution was fealed. 

Befides the parliament held at Carlifle, abbot Robert was 
fummoned in the fame year, 1307, to attend a parliament at North- 
ampton, on the 15th day after St. Michael, 1 3th October, in order to 
treat and advife concerning the celebration of the funeral of the late 
King, and alfo, about the solemnization of the efpoufals and corona- 
tion of the prefent king, Edward II. 

In 1 309 he was again fummoned to parliament at Weftminfter, 
one month after Eafter, 27th April, to confult with the King on 
" certain arduous affairs." 

In 1 3 1 1 he was fummoned to parliament at London, on Sunday 
next before the feaft of St. Laurence, 8th Auguft. Robert is com- 
manded to lay all other matters afide, and to appear in perfon before 
the king at the faid day and place, to treat and advife with the 
prelates and nobles. At this parliament Piers Gavefton the king's 
favourite, was banifhed the king's dominions. 

In 1 3 1 2, Robert was fummoned twice to attend parliament, on 
the 23rd of July, and on the 20th of Auguft. The King was in 
trouble at home and abroad, and needed the help of all at that time. 
His favourite Gavefton was murdered and his enemy Robert Bruce 
under arms. 



*$ 



-4. 



4- ■ •$• 

ROBERT. 47 

From this laft parliament, held Auguft 20th, Robert mult have 
gone over to a general chapter of his order, as the following document 
mews : — 

" THE King to the guardians of the pafTage of the port of Dover, 
health ! We command you, that you freely permit our beloved in 
Chrift, the abbot of Roche, of the Ciftercian order, who is about to 
fet out to his general chapter to be held immediately at Cifteaux, to 
pafs in the harbour of the aforefaid to foreign parts, and to pay him 
for his expenfes twenty marks at this time. Witnefs the King at 
Canterbury, Auguft 21ft, 131 2." 

In 1 3 1 3 abbot Robert was fummoned to attend parliament three 
times: on the 18th of March, the 8th of July, and the 22nd of 
September, " to treat on the affairs of the kingdom and the war 
againft the Scots." He was required alfo to do more than give his 
advice on this laft fubje£t. 

"THE King to his beloved in Chrift, the Abbot and Convent 
of Roche, greeting ! Inafmuch as for the purpofe of making 
refiftance to Robert de Bruce, a rebel and enemy to us, and his 
accomplices and adherents, who propofe fhortly to invade with hoftile 
intent our Scottim Marches — as we think has already come to your 
notice — we have ordered certain nobles of our kingdom, with a fixed 
number of armed men to take their deftination to the faid parts, for 
doing which it behoves us necefTarily to have a large fum of money, 
and fince certain prelates of the province of Canterbury in our 
parliament convoked on the 8th of July, one by one liberally, on 
loan yielded and granted certain fums of money in aid of the buiinefs 
aforefaid, to be allowed to them at their next payments to us, whether 
from tenths or from military fervice due from them in Scotland, or 
otherwife ; we, equally confiding in you alfo to exhibit your zeal for 
our defence, earneftly require and afk you to be willing to lend us to 
the extent of fifty marks for the exigent purpofe aforefaid, according 
as our beloved clerk William de Melton mall deem fit to require of 
you on our behalf. And this by all means do, as ye love us, our honour 
and your own, and the prefervation of the realm, receiving from 
the faid William letters patent witnefling the receipt of the faid 
money. Witnefs the King at Wyndfor, Auguft 1 3th." 

Befides thefe fifty marks he had to fend horfes and arms, to 
mufter at Berwick-on-Tweed, on the 1 oth of June. 

The King determining to put an end to the conftant wars which 
were being carried on againft Scotland afTembled at this time an 
enormous army from Gafcony, Flanders, Wales and Ireland, and with 
which and his Englifh foldiers he marched into Scotland, to the fatal 

: ^ 



«*" 



4 8 



ROCHE ABBEY. 



field of Bannockburn, where on the 25th of June, 13 14, was fought 
" the great and decifive battle of Bannockburn, which fecured the 
independence of Scotland, fixed Bruce on the throne of that kingdom, 
and may be deemed the greateft overthrow that the Engliih nation 
(fince the conqueft) has ever received." 

What was the fate of the men, horfes and arms which Robert 
fent from the quiet valley of Roche ? 

But the valley of Roche was anything but peaceful a few years 
after this, for we find in 1322, John de Mowbray and others, with 80 
men at arms and 400 footmen, adherents of Thomas, Earl of Lan- 
caster, ravaging the whole country about Roche Abbey. They 
befieged the cattle of Tickhill, which was fuccefffully defended by 
the king's conflable, William de Anne, and defpoiled the town and 
church of Laughton, carrying away all their cattle and goods. 
Abbot Robert muft have had a very difficult part to acl: during thefe 
disturbances, for while it was evidently to his interefl to remain on 
friendly terms with the rebels that his Abbey and property might 
efcape fpoilation, at the fame time the king demanded "that he mould 
raife as many men at arms and foot as he could to march againft the 
rebels and adherents of the Earl of Lancafter, who are deftroying 
our people and befieging with an armed force our cattle of Tickhill." 

Robert received this mandate on the 1 6th of February, and the 
mutter was to take place at Coventry, on February 28th, "where he 
propofed to be, (the Lord willing) with horfes and arms, as decently 
and powerfully as he could." On the 1 6th of the next month, the 
battle of Boroughbridge put an end to our good abbot's troubles, and 
on the 23rd of March, the turbulent Earl of Lancafter was alfo no 



more. 



Robert held his abbacy only two years after this period. 



* 



+ 


*$"$♦•$• 


<$■<$>$"%"& 


-$♦*$•*$* 


— — 4 



+- 



+ 




William. 



J 3 2 4 — !33°- 




>ILLIAM, the fifteenth abbot of Roche, profefied 
canonical obedience to William Melton, Archbifhop 
of York, on the 9th of December, 1324. 

In 1327, William received the following order to 
ftay at home, and take care of his abbey, which was in danger, in 
confequence of the Scots having entered England, Robert Bruce 
hoping to take advantage of the weak ftate of the government : — 

" THE KING to his beloved in Chrift, the abbot of Roche 
greeting ! How the Scotch, our enemies and rebels have entered 
our kingdom with hoftile intent, inhumanely perpetrating homicides, 
depredations, fires and other ills innumerable, and as we (Edward III) 
are in our own perfon with our army potted in the parts of the 
march of Scotland, to reftrain their malicious defign, your forefight 
well knows ; and inafmuch as it ftands ordered by ourfelves and 
our councils that no nobles, prelates or others, nor any perfon of note 
mould go out of the fame kingdom, and efpecially from the parts 
on this fide Trent, fo long as the faid enemies thus ftay within our 
realm, and it is given us to underftand that you propofe to betake 
yourfelf in perfon to our general chapter, to be held at Cifteaux, we, 
wifhing the aforefaid order to be inviolably obferved, prohibit you 
under penalty of a heavy forfeiture to us, to betake yourfelf to any 
ftrange places beyond your own bounds, fo long as the faid enemies 
thus remain in our realm, under pretence of any licence by us to you 
previouily granted, until we mail have thought right to order other- 
wife thereupon, but that you attend more carefully than ufual to the 
cuftody of your Abbey, and to all other the premifes. Witnefs, the 
King at Stanhop, Auguft 3rd, 1327." 

Twelve other abbots whofe monafteries were in the north of 
England, received the fame command. 

William ceafed to be abbot of Roche in 1330. 



* 



^ 



* 




gttram ite #igglts&jttfc 



^o— 1 349- 



+ 




IGGLESWICK is a place famous for its Well, which is faid 
to rife and fall about eighteen inches feveral times a day. 

" At Giggleswick where I a fountain can you fhow 
That eight times in a day is said to ebb and flow." 

Drayton's Polyolbion. 

An Adam, fon of Adam de Gigglefwick is mentioned in Burton, 
as having given to the Monks of Fountains Abbey "3J. 4*/. per 
annum, to find veils for the ***** who came to the 
abbey gate to be cured." It is not impofTible that Abbot Adam 
may have been conne&ed with this family. It is not however 
neceffary that an abbot mould be of high origin. Monks, according 
to Chaucer, " Cominly comen of pore peple," and " Ther farthirs 
ride but on ther fete." But, however high or low may have been the 
birth of Adam de Gigglefwick, he had fufficient intereft with the 
Monks of Roche to induce them to elect him as their abbot in 1330. 

The intenfe religious feeling which had in the few previous 
centuries induced men to give up {o much of their property to the 
church was already beginning faft to wane ; and it doubtlefs was not 
without reafon that complaint was made at this time to the Pope, 
that "The alms and devotion of all men were diminifhed." Religi- 
ous communities would be ill able to bear any lofs of income, at a 
time when the King, for the purpofe of carrying on his wars with 
France, was ever demanding heavy fublidies and loans, both in wool 
and money. 

For fifteen years Adam struggled on with thefe difficulties until 
1 345, when there came a bright and happy day for the monks of 
Roche. John, the laft Earl of Warren, beholding the poverty of the 
Monaftery of Roche, and admiring the beauty of its buildings, gave 
the monks that year "in loco penitently, " fays Mr. Hunter, the Church 



* 



•#• 



ADAM DE GIGGLESWICK. 5 1 

of Hatfield, valued at that time at feventy marks per annum ; having 
previoufly obtained a licence from the King to enable him to do fo. 
An imperfecl: copy of the charter which conveyed this gift to the 
monks of Roche is among Dodfwortti s MS., of which, as far as it 
could be made out, the following is a tranilation : — 

Charter of %tfyn tic fDarrcn, <£arl of j&utttp* 

" KNOW all men as well prefent as future, by thefe prefents that 
we, John de Warren Earl of Surrey, beholding the fcarcity of fruits, 
rents and poiTeffions generally pertaining to the religious men, the 
Abbot and Convent of Roche, in the diocefe of York, and to their 
monaftery ; alfo nobly grieving for the paucity of monks ferving God 
there ; and being moft deeply anxious for the augmentation of divine 
worfhip, and alfo for increafing (by the help of God), the number of 
brothers in the fame ; have given and granted in form and manner 
underwritten for the caufes aforefaid, and other devotions moving us 
thereto, as far as in us lies, and we can rightly do fo, the right of the 
patronage or advowfon of the Parifh Church of Hatfield in the faid 
diocefe of York, belonging to us by hereditary right, with all rights, 
fruits, rents, pofleffions and appurtenances whatever to the faid church 
in any way pertaining from ancient time, to the faid abbot and 
convent and their monastery by the will, confent and affent of our 
Lord Edward the third, the illustrious King of England, requested 
by us on this behalf from the Lord King himfelf, and obtained, and 
by Ipecial licence as by letters royal, compofed on occafion of the 
aforefaid remaining in the poffeffion of the Abbot and Convent, 
evidently appears. To have and to hold the faid right of patronage 
or advowfon of the Church aforefaid, for all times to the aforefaid 
Abbot and Convent and their monaftery aforefaid, in such manner, 
namely, that from the time of the appropriation of the faid Church 
to the faid religious and their monaftery, being fufficiently, lawfully 
and ftriclry made, according to the requirements of the law, and in 
which they mail enjoy peaceable pofterlion of the right of receiving 
and holding for the greater part, the fruits and rents of the tithes to 
the faid Church belonging, free from impediment or calumny of 
any kind, then incontinently thereafter, with all diligence, without 
delay, they fhall take and aftume into their habit and vows beyond 
the number conftituted in the faid monaftery at the time of its 
foundation, thirteen honeft men and competently {killed in literature ; 
and the faid number thirteen beyond the faid monks conftituted at 
the time of the faid foundation, the faid Abbot and Convent and 
their fuccefTors in the faid monaftery mail, by immediately fupplying 



■^j. — ^j, 

52 ROCHE ABBET. 

new ones in the place of thofe who die or otherwife fail of the 
faid thirteen, acknowledge, fuflain and for ever find and have 
patiently to ferve Almighty God unto their live's end * * * * all 
the aforefaid monks for ever, from that time in which the faid 
number * * * mail have been (God granting) beyond * * the 
foundation * * * daily XIII * * * monks * * * according as 

* * * * was for the time, VIII. maffes a day with collects * * * * 
for the fouls of the faid Lord Edward the King, and the moil excel- 
lent Lady Philippa, the Queen, his confort, and William, their son, 
who * * * * of the faid King and Queen, and alfo for our good 
ftate and foul, and for the fouls of all our relations, and all the 
faithful dead, fo long as * * * * other maffes and the faid obfequies 
in the faid monaftery * * * * mall make and pay, and fhall make 
our death * * * ■* on the day of our anniverfary, as well in lar- 
geffes, alms, * * * * in faying maffes and other cuftomary devo- 
tions, and as for death * * * * in other monafteries * * * * in 
divine and other offices aforefaid is wont folemnly to be performed 

* * * and if they fhall ceafe in their fervice (which God forbid !) 
the faid Abbot and Convent, the faid burdens interpofed in the 
manner in which it is permitted * * * * either in part or three 
times, publicly admonifhed about performing and obferving the 
premifes by us, our heirs or executors, fhall have corrected or and 
thenceforth * * * * the Church of Hatfield aforefaid which we 
our heirs or fucceffors who for the time being fhall be * * * * the 
aforefaid John Earl of Surrey, and our heirs will warrant and defend 
for ever againfb all people, the faid right of patronage or advowfon 
of the Church aforefaid, with all its rights and appurtenances, to the 
faid Abbot and Convent and their monaftery aforefaid, in manner 
and form aforefaid. In teftimony whereof to this writing indented, 
my feal together with the common feal of the faid Abbot and 
Convent are alternately appended. Witnefs, &c, given at Lewis, 
on the firft day of December, in the tenth year of the reign of King 
Edward, the third fince the Conqueft." 

The appropriation of this magnificent gift was effected by 
William la Zouch, Archbiffiop of York, referving out of the profits 
an annual penfion often marks to himfelf, and five for the Dean and 
Chapter, and ordering a proper houfe to be built by the Abbot of 
Roche, for the vicar, who was to be paid fifteen pounds a year at 
Eafter, Michaelmas and Chriftmas by equal portions. 

When John, Earl of Warren, died, all his lands north of the 
Trent went to the crown and were fettled upon Edmund of Langley, 
a younger fon of the King. But as he was only fix years old, his 

^5. ^» 



* 



ADAM DE GIGGLESWICK. 



53 



* 



mother, Queen Philippa, was allowed to receive the profits for the 
education of her children. The fecond fon of Edward the third was 
born at Hatfield, and in confequence took the name of William de 
Hatfield. "Upon this occafion," fays Thorejby, Queen Philippa 
gave five marks per annum to the Abbey of Roche, and five nobles 
to the monks there. This fum, however, when the Prince died, 
was tranfferred to the Church of York, where he was buried, to pray 
for his foul ! a 

Adam de Gigglefwick ceafed to be Abbot of Roche in 1349, 
and it is not improbable that he may have fallen a victim to the 
peftilence which raged that year, and which, Stowe fays, " Was fo 
vehement and fharpe that there remained not the tenth perfon alive 
throughout the realm." 

3 Ducatus Leodienfis pref. p. xv. 




* 



* 



•$♦- 




Simon ta BatiModL 



J 349 — !35 8 - 



♦ 




IMON DE BAUKEWELL, or Bakewell, profefled 
canonical obedience on the 25th October, 1349, and on 
the fame day received the benediction of William de la 
Zouch, Archbifhop of York, in the chapel of his Manor 
of Cawood." 

Already monachifm was upon the decline, and bitter farcafms 
were in circulation. Walter Mapes, who had a flrong hatred of 
the clergy, and of the Ciflercians in particular, wrote about this 
time fuch fentences as the following b : — 

" I saw the warkes and trade of abbots there eche one, 
Of whom their flock to leade to hell not one doth milTe." 

" Worse than a monke there is no fende nor sprite in hell, 
Nothing so covetuose nor more strange to be knowen, 
For if you give him ought, he maie poflefle it well, 
But if you afke him ought, then nothinge is his owne." 

Simon ceafed to be abbot of Roche in 1358. 

a Reg. William de la Zouche, p. 41. b Walter Mapes, Cam. Soc, p. 279, 280. 



4*4*4* 



*- 



+- 



-♦ 




3 affix te &stan. 



^J 8 — 139 6 - 




OHN DE ASTON, like feveral of the preceding abbots, 
feems to have come originally from a place not far diftant 
from Roche. He profened canonical obedience as abbot of 
Roche, to John Thorefby, Archbifhop of York, on 23rd 
of November, 1358/ 

During the abbacy of John de Afton, the advowfon of 
Roche Abbey changed hands from John Levet to Richard 
Barry, citizen and merchant of London. 

In 1362, monachifm received a fevere blow from the author of 
" Peirs Ploughman s Vijion and Creed." In it the monks are accufed 
of having faliified religion, and of being actuated folely by pride, 
covetoufnefs, and felf-love. A moll remarkable prophecy may be 
found in the Vijion, commencing at line 6239. 

tc Ac ther shal come a Kyng, 
And confefTe you religiouses, 
And beat you as the bible telleth 
For brekynge of your rule. 



And thane fhall the abbot of Abyngdone, b 
And all his ifTue for ever, 
Have a knok of a Kyng, 
And incurable the wounde." 

John de Alton ceafed to be abbot of Roche in 1396. 



a Reg. John Thorefby, p. 20Z. 

b Abingdon in Berkfhire was the houfe into which monks, ftrictly to called, were firft introduced in England, 
and is, therefore, very properly brought forward as the reprefentative of Englifh monachifm. 



"* 




ISioitxt 

1396— 1438. 




[HE name of this abbot is given on the authority of Dr. 

Burton, who, however, does not give the fource from 

whence he derived his information. 

Although the Abbeys of England had yet a hundred 
years to ftand, many prophecies of their ultimate fall were made 
about this time, the moft interefting of which is perhaps the following 
prophetic parable : — 

" WHEN on a certayne time a byrde was brought into the 
worlde all bear and without fethers, the other byrdes hearing thereof, 
came to vifite her : and for that they fawe her to be a merveilous 
fayre byrde, they counfailed together how they might befb do her 
good, fith by no meanes without fethers, might fhe either flee or 
live commodioufly. They all wiihed her to live for her excellent 
forme and beauteis fake, in fo much that among them all there was 
not one, that would not graunt fome part of her own fethers to deck 
this byrd withall : yea, and the more true they fawe her to be, the 
more fethers ftill they gave unto her, fo that by this means me was 
paffing well penned and fethered and began to flee. The other 
byrdes that thus had adorned her with goodly fethers, beholding her 
to flee abroad, were merveiloufly delighted therewith. In the end, 
this byrde feeing herfelf fo gorgeoufly fethered, and of all the reft to 
be had in honour, began to wax proud and hawty, in fo much that fhe 
had no regard at all unto them by whom fhe was advaunced : yea, 
fhe punged (pierced) them with her beak, plucked them by the 
fkinne and fethers, and in all places hurted them. Whereupon, the 
byrdes fitting in councell agayne, called the matter in queftion, 
demanding one of another what was beft to be done touching this 
unkinde byrde, who they fo lovingly with their own fethers had 
decked and adourned : affirming, that they gave not their fethers to 



+ 



* 



ROBERT. 



57 



-* 



the intent that me thereby, puft up with pride, fhould contempt- 
uoufly defpife them all. The peacocke therefore anfwereth firft : 
'Truly,' faid he, 'for that fhe is bravely fet forth with my painted 
fethers, I will again take them from her.' Then, faith the falcon, 
'And I, alfo, will have mine againe.' This fentence at length took 
place among them all, fo that every one plucked from her thofe 
fethers which before they had given, challenging to them their own 
againe. Even {o, oh you Cardinals, mail it happen unto you ; for 
kings, potentates and princes have beftowed upon you goods, lands 
and riches, that fhould ferve God ; but you have poured it out and 
confumed it upon pride, all kinde of wickednefs, ryot and wantonnes." a 
The painful forefhadowings of future trouble, feem however, not 
to have materially affected the health of abbot Robert. He held 
his abbacy forty-two years, during which time the crown of 
England three times changed hands. 

Robert ceafed to be abbot of Roche in 1438. 



1 Foxe. 




flr _ 



-* 



+- 




30|jn WLKUfLtVU- 



1438— 1465. 




OHN WAKEFIELD was elected abbot of Roche and 
received the benediction of Archbifhop John Kemp, on 
June 7th, 1438/ 

During his time, Roche Abbey obtained a new bene- 
factor and founder in Matilda of York, Counters of 
Cambridge, who lived in the neighbouring caftle of Con- 
ingfborough. The following is a tranflation of the part of 
her will referring to Roche : — 

§BiII of tfje Counted of Camfitibge* 

" IN the name of God, Amen. On the feafl of the affumption 
of the Bleffed Virgin Mary, in the year of our Lord 1440, I, 
Matilda, of York, Countefs of Cambridge, being of right mind and 
found memory, make my will in this manner : 

Firfr., I leave and commend my foul to God and the Bleffed 
Mary and all His faints, and my body to be buried in the monaftery 
of Roche, in the chapel of the Bleffed Mary, before her image, 
fituate in the fouthern part of the church of the faid monaflery. 

Alfo, I will that there lie over my grave a ftone of alabafler, 
raifed aloft after the manner of a tomb, with an effigy, after the 
manner which I will tell to my executors. 

Alfo, I leave to each chaplain prefent at my funeral two-pence, 
and to each parochial clergyman, fix-pence. 

Alfo, that my executors appoint wax to be burnt about my body 
at the time of my funeral, according to their difcretion. 

Alfo, I will that twelve poor perfons be clad in white gowns, 
each of whom fhall bear one twirled wax taper, of the larger fize, 
in honour of our Lord Jefus Chrift and the Bleffed Mary, and all 

a Reg. John Kemp, p. 393. 



* 



& ^. 

JOHN WAKEFIELD. 59 

His faints ; and that thefe be held by them at the time of my funeral 
and of my mafs, and that each of them have twelve-pence. b 

Alfo, I leave to three chaplains of honeft converfation, forty-two 
marks, that they may celebrate and pray for my foul, and for the 
foul of my lord, and for the fouls of my parents ; and that one keep 
a fchool, if he will. 

Alfo, I will that every year each of them fay onet rental of the bleff- 
ed Gregory, and daily fay in their maffes this prayer : — "Deus qui eft 
swnma nojirce Redemptions, &c." when they can conveniently do fo. 

Alfo, I leave to the monaftery of Roche one white veftment, to 
the intent that one monk of the fame place may celebrate for my foul 
for a week, and have daily one penny; and another monk for another 
week, and fo each in turn may feparately celebrate and pray for my 
foul in the faid monaftery, for the fpace of feven years complete. 

Alfo, I leave to the abbot of Roche fix millings and eight-pence, 
and to each monk there, twenty-pence, on the day of my burial. 
Alfo, I leave to the abbot and convent of the fame place, forty 
marks, on condition that if they are willing fufficiently to fhow their 
obligation to their founder, they fhall, once in each year, for ever, 
for my foul's health, celebrate my obit in funeral fervices, and a mafs 
with two wax candles burning over my body during the fame time. 

Alfo, I will that my whole veftment of red colour, worked with 
gold, with one chalice and two crewets, two beft filver candlefticks 
and one lilver bell, remain with my body, for the perpetual ufe of 
the faid church, ***** In witnefs whereof, I have to this 
prefent writing affixed my feal. Given in the monaftery of Roche, 
on the day and place aforefaid." c 

Matilda, Countefs of Cambridge, was the daughter of Thomas 
Lord Clifford, and the fecond wife of Richard Plantaganet, ordinarily 
known as Richard of Coningfborough, Earl of Cambridge. She 
did not long furvive the making of her will. It is dated 15th 
Auguft, 1446, and fhe died on the 26th of the fame month. Her 
fucceffors were held founders of Roche up to the time of the 
diiiblution. 

John Wakefield died in the middle of the year 1465, and was 
buried at Roche with all the honours due to his ftation. d 



b Thomas Duke of Exeter, who died in 1426, ordered fomething fimilar to this. "I will that there be as many 
poor men as I may have lived years at my funeral, each carrying a torch, and habited in a gown and hood of white 
cloth, and each receiving as many pence as I have lived years ; and that there be the fame number of poor women, 
of good character, clothed in a gown and hood of white cloth, and each receiving a penny." — " Teftamenta 
Vetufta," vol. i. p. 208. 

c "Teftamenta Eboracenfia," Surtees Society, vol. ii. p. 1 1 8. 

d Reg Geo. Nevil., part i. p. 11. 



*- 




Sflfjtt <&XVLQ> 



1465— 1479. 




ONCERNING the election and benediction of John Gray, 
we have the following letter and memorandum, which 
are preferved in the Archbifhop's regifler at York : — 



Setter from tfje SUfifcot of $ctomhigtcr,— 



" TO the moil reverend father in Chrift, George, by the grace 
of God, Archbifhop of York. Your devoted fon, John, abbot of 
Newminfter, of the Ciftercian order, in the diocefe of Durham, 
father abbot and immediate vifitor of the monaftery of the Bleffed 
Mary of Roche, fends all manner of reverence and honour due to fo 
great a father. We would fignify to your moft reverend paternity 
by the tenor of thefe prefents, that the monaftery of Roche being 
lately vacant by the death of the venerable father in the Lord, John 
de Wakefield, the laft abbot ; and he being dead and his body buried 
with the exequies due to his ecclefiaftical office, the prior and con- 
vent of the aforefaid monaftery of Roche, proceeding to the election 
of a future paftor, elected the religious man, brother John Gray, 
whofe election, after due enquiry made into his fitnefs, we have 
confirmed. Wherefore, we pray your Lordihip's pre-eminence to 
grant him your holy benediction. In teftimony of which, our feal 
and the feal of the venerable father in the Lord, the abbot of Rufford, 
our coaffefTor is appended. Given in the monaftery of Roche, the 
feventh day of Auguft, 1465. 

" Memorandum. That, on the fixth day of September, 1464, 
the Lord Archbifhhop received the aforefaid letter, at Scrooby, and 



*- 



* 



<#• 



-«$• 



JOHN GRAY. 



61 



commanded Lord William Bifhop of Dromore, his fuffragan, to 
confer benediction upon brother John Gray, the aforefaid abbot 
elect." 

It will be noticed that an interval of a month took place between 
the election and the benediction of this abbot. 

John Gray vacated his abbacy, not by death as Dr. Burton has 
it, but by refignation, on the 5th of June, 1479.* 

a Reg. Geo. Nevil, pt. i. p. n. 




*- 



■♦ 



•$»- 




tlltam €ikil 



1479 — i486. 




HE letter of the abbot of Newminfter to the Archbifhop 
of York, concerning this abbot, is alfo preferved, and is 
even more interefting than the one relating to abbot John 
Gray. 

%ctttt from tfje SUftftot of $riumin£tcr* 



" TO the moft reverend father and lord in Chrift, Lord Laurence, 
by the grace of God, Archbifhop of York, Primate of England, the 
lord abbot of Newminfter, of the Ciftercian order, Father abbot and 
immediate Vifitor of the monaftery of the BlefTed Mary of Roche, of 
the order aforefaid, and the aforefaid diocefe, fends all manner of 
reverence with the honour and deference due to fo great a father, to 
the utmoft gratification of his wifh. We humbly thought right to 
explain to your lordfhip's preeminence, by the tenor of thefe prefents, 
that our filial monaftery of Roche aforefaid, lately becoming vacant 
by the voluntary ceffion and free refignation of the religious man, 
Mafter John Gray, late abbot of the faid monaftery, and fo refigning, 
we, by our paternal authority, which we exercife on this behalf, on 
the 5 th of June, 1479, abfolved and exonerated him from all 
jurifdiction and rule over the faid monaftery, and from his place and 
ftate . in the chapter of the monaftery ; and the venerable father of 
RufFord, acting as our coaffeffor in the calling of a new paftor, in 
due form, according to the rules of the order there was prefented, 
and elected the difcrete man, brother William Tikil, one in morals, 
knowledge of temporals and experience of age, fufficiently furnifhed. 
Whom thus canonically prefented and elected, we confirmed and 
led him into the church and inftalled him, and brought him back 
into the chapter houfe, and bound him by an oath, in the cuftomary 
form of the order, and did all other things which are, or were 



& 



*- 



* 



WILLIAM TIKIL. 



63 



requilite by the right of our order. Wherefore, we pray your 
lordfhip's pre-eminence to be gracioufly pleafed to confer the boon of 
your facred benediction upon the faid perfon fo elected and inftituted. 
Whom, may God, the giver of all good gifts, profper with felicity 
in this prefent vale of tears, and lead at laft to the infinite joys of 
His heavenly kingdom. In witnefs whereof, we have caufed to be 
placed to thefe prefent writings the feal of our office, together with 
that of our coafTeffor aforefaid. Given in our chapter-houfe of 
Roche aforefaid, in the month and year above exprefied. a 

William, Tikil, (Tickhill,) was elected abbot of Roche June 5 th, 
1479, and he held his abbacy until the latter end of i486. 

a Reg. Laurence Booth, p. 104. 




* 



* 




-Xfjomas %tyxm. 



i486— 1488. 




a year. 



N the regifter of Thomas Rotherham, Archbifhop of York, 
there is the copy of a letter given under his feal at Scrooby, 
on the 19th day of December, i486, empowering his ven- 
erable confrere and Bifhop William Dromore, his fuffragan, 
to confer benediction on brother Thomas Thurne, who had 
been elected and confirmed abbot of Roche. 8 

Thomas Thurne (Thorne) ceafed to be abbot of Roche 
early in 1488, after having held his abbacy little more than 



1 Reg. Thomas Rotherham, p. 234. 






4**" 



-* 



* 



-* 




1488 — H9 1 




ILLIAM BURTON profefTed canonical obedience and 
received benediction at the hands of Bifhop William 
Dromore, his fuffragan,on the laft day of February, 1488." 
He ceafed to be abbot of Roche in 1 49 1 . 



'Reg. Thos. Rotherham, p. 242. 




*- 



* 



«$•- 



3offn ffitaxyttfy 



1491— 1503. 



♦ 





N the eighteenth of Auguft, 1491, Archbifhop Thomas 

Rotherham granted a commiffion to William, by the grace 

of God Bifhop of Dromore, to confer benediction on John 

Abbot of the monaftery of Roche. a 

We may conclude from the name of this abbot that he originally 

came from Newminfter; Morpeth being the name of a town 

near that monaftery. 

John Morpeth ceafed to be abbot of Roche in 1503. 



a Reg. Thomas Rotherham, p. 251. 




+- 



ma 



-* 




3oIjn ^allnstoit— 3§«it2 Ctutiral 



i5°3— ^S 8 - 



THE DISSOLUTION. 



A wake, ye ghoftly persons ! awake, awake, 
B oth prieft, pope, byfhop, and cardinal!, 
C onsider wisely, what wayes that ye take, 
D aungeroufly beyng like to have a fall, 
E very where the mischiefe of you all, 
F arre and neare, breaketh out very fall : 
G od will needes be revenged at the laft. 
H ow long have ye the world captived 
n sore bondage, of men's traditions ? 
ings and Emperours ye have deprived, 
ewdly usurping theyr chiefe porTeflions : 
uch misery ye make in all regions, 
ow your fraudes be almoft at their latter caft, 
f God sore to be revenged at the laft. 
oore people to opprese, ye have no fhame, 
uaking for feare of your double tyranny ; 
ightfull juftice ye have put out of frame, 
eeking the luft of your god — the belly: 
herefore, I dare you boldly certifie, 
ery little though ye be thereof agaft, 
et God will be revenged at the laft. a 



K 
L 

M 
N 
O 
P 

Q 

R 

S 
T 
V 
Y 



A. B. C. by William Thorpe. 



a Foxe. 



* 



* 



68 



ROCHE ABBET. 




HROUGHOUT the whole of the firft quarter of the 
fixteenth century, tremblings and commotions, every day 
increafing in violence, were felt, and only too well recog- 
nized by the monks as the forerunners of that relentlefs 
earthquake which was to fhake their fair abbeys into ruins, and to 
caft them forth upon the world, homelefs and defpifed. 

Monachifm received its firft fatal fhock when Cardinal Wolfey, 
in order to found a College at Oxford (now Chrift's Church,) and 
another at Ipfwich, his native place, obtained leave from Pope 
Clement to fupprefs and appropriate the revenues of what he called 
certain poor and fmall monafteries, in which he acknowledged that 
neither God was ferved, nor religion kept. The abbots, feeing the 
danger of fuch a precedent, endeavoured to induce Wolfey to abflain 
from feizing upon the abbey lands, by offering him inftead, large 
fums of money. The abbot of St. Mary's, York, to fave his cell of 
Romburgh in Suffolk, offered the Cardinal three hundred marks 
fterling. But all thefe interceflions of the abbots were in vain, the 
work of demolition and impropriation commenced at once, and 
continued fteadily until the defired fum had been raifed, jealous 
Catholics here and there expreffing their difapprobation in different 
ways. At Beggam, in Suffex, after the brethren had been turned out 
of their houfe, " a riotous company, difguifed and unknowne, with 
painted faces and vifers, came to the fame monafterie, and brought 
with them the chanons, and put them into their place again, and 
promifed that whenfoever they rang the bell, that they would come 
with a great power and defend them." But refiftance was in vain, 
the enthufiaftic defenders of the religious men of Beggam and elfe- 
where were foon filenced and punifhed, and the monaflic fyflem 
had to carry on its exiftence with its foundations fapped, and its 
fuperflructure propped as well as might be. There however, is 
nothing which fo urgently tempts interference as a prop ! In the 
firft place, one depifes anything which is fo dilapidated as to require 
fuch amftance, and then one immediately begins to fpeculate as to 
the probable confequences of removing it : and laflly, to prove the 
accuracy of thefe fpeculations, the required blow is given. We need 
not be furprifed then, to find that there exifled a party whofe aim 
was to knock away the props which upheld monachifm without 



* 



# — _ — ^ 

JOHN HESLINGTON—HENRT CUNDAL. 69 

1 ~ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ — 

themfelves being at the fame time buried in the ruins. King Henry 
VIIL, after having read the Beggar's Supplication againft the 
monks, is reported to have faid " If a man mould pull downe 
an old fione wall and begin at the lower part, the upper part there- 
of might chance to fall upon his head. 1 ' If this be true, it would 
appear that the Defender of the Faith himfelfwas of the iconoclaftic 
party. 

Volumes might be written mewing the numerous caufes which 
had rendered the monks fo unpopular, but the two following def- 
criptions of a monaftery and a monk will fatiffy the reader : — 

MONASTERY.— "A houfe of ill-fame, where men are feduced 
from their public duties, and fall naturally into guilt from attempting 
to preferve an unnatural innocence." a 

MONK. — Treated after the Linnasan fyftem. 

" Definitio. — An animal, anthropomorphic, hooded, howling by 
night, thiriKng. 

" Defcriptio. — Body erect, biped, back curved, head depreifed, 
always hooded, and clothed in every part, covetous, foetid, filthy, 
drunken, lazy, more patient of want than labour; at the riling and 
fetting of the fun, and efpecially at night, they congregate, and when 
one cries out, all cry ; run together at the found of a bell, walk 
always in couples, are clothed in wool, live by rapine and plunder, 
affert that the world was made for them alone, carry on their amours 
clandeftinely, do not marry, expofe their young, fight with their own 
fpecies, and attack their enemies unawares from ambufhes. 

" The female differs little from the male, except in having her 
head always veiled, is cleaner, lefs drunken, and never leaves home, 
which fhe keeps clean. When young fhe grafps at all forts of play 
things, flares about her on all fides, and falutes the males by nodding. 
When older, fhe becomes fpiteful and malignant, and when angry, 
agitates her jaw bones in ceffantly with open mouth. When called, 
they anfwer "Ave." When allowed, they chatter promifcuoufly, 
and if a bell rings are fuddenly mute. 

" Differentia. — Man fpeaks, reafons, wills ; the monk is often 
mute, has no reafon or will, is governed folely by the orders of his 
fuperiors. The head of man is erect, the head of a monk is depreffed 
with eyes turned to the ground. Man feeks his bread by the fweat 
of his brow, the monk growes fat by lazinefs. Man dwells among 
men, the monk feeks folitude and hides himfelf, avoiding the light. 
Whence it follows, that the monk is a genus of mammalia diflinct 

a " The Tin Trumpet/' 

4fc ■ ■ — — •$*' 



* 



7° 



ROCHE ABBEY. 



from man, intermediary between him and the ape, approaching 
neareft to the latter, from which it differs very little in voice or 
manner of living. 

" Ufus. — An ufelefs burthen on the earth." a 

The worft enemies of the monks could not wifh more to be 
faid than is contained in the foregoing lines. They contain doubt- 
lefs a great amount of exaggeration, but if even a quarter of the 
accufations in them be true, it is not furprifing that the enemies of 
the monks were numerous. 

In 1534, the king, having been pronounced by Parliament 
fupreme Head on earth of the Church of England, determined to 
exercife his right of vifiting every religious community, for the 
purpofe of finding out their real condition. He accordingly com- 
manded his fecretary, Thomas Cromwell, to ifTue a commiflion to 
that effect. Thomas Cromwell, was the defcendent of a Lincoln- 
shire family, and was well fitted for this work, having been employed 
by Wolfey in the fuppreflion of the monafteries already referred to. 
He appointed three vifitors, Doctors Legh, Layton, and Ap Rice ; 
and probably towards the end of the year 1535, the two former 
appeared before the gate of Roche Abbey, for we find them about 
that time at Fountains, the abbot of which place they wrote to 
Cromwell was "a vara fole and a miferable ideote." 

The manner in which the vifitors approached an abbey, was to 
come upon it fuddenly, fummoning the brethren immediately before 
them. An amufing illuftration of this may be found in Dr. Layton' s 
letter to Cromwell, defcribing what he did on arriving at the Abbey 
of Langdon. 

"Immediately difcending from my horfe, I fent Bartlett, your 
fervant, with all my fervants to circumcept the abbay, and furely to 
kepe alle bake dorres and ftarting hoills, etc. I my felf went alone 
to the abbot's lodging, joynyng upon the feldes and wode, evyn lyke 
a cony clapper full of ftartyng hoilles, a goode fpace knokkyng at 
thabbottes dore, nee vox nee fenfus apparuit, faveyng thabbottes 
litle doge that, within his dore fafte lokked, bayede and barkede. 
I found a fhort polax ftanding behynde the dore, and with yt I 
daffhhede thabbottes dore in peiffes, ictu oculi, and fet one of 
my men to kepe that dore, and aboute houfe I go with that polax 
in my hande, ne forte, for thabbot is a daingeroufe defperate 
knave and hardy. But for a conclufion, his gentle woman beyftr- 
rede her ftumpis towards her ftartyng hoilles, and ther Bartlett 



i 



' Specimen Monachologiae. 



•$* 



JOHN HESLINGTON—HENRT CVNDAL. yi 

wachying the purfuet towke the tendre damoifel, and after I had 
examined hir, to Dover ther to the maire to fett hir in fum cage or 
prifon for viii dayes, and I brought holy father abbot to Canterbury 
and here in Chriftes church I will leve hym in prifon. In this 
foden doying ex tempore to circumcept the houfe and to ferche, your 
fervant John Antonie his men mervelede what fellow I was, and fo 
dyde the refte of thabby, for I was unknowyn ther of alle men. At 
laft, I founde her apparel in thabbottes cofer. To tell howe all this 
commodie, but for thabbot a tragedie, hit were to long. How hit 
fhalle appere to gentilmen of this contrey, and other comons, that 
ye fhalle not deprive or vifite but upon fubftanciall groundes. 
Surely I fuppos Gode him felf put hit in my mynde thus fodenly 
to make a ferche at the begynnyng, bycaufe no chanon appered in 
my fyght ; I fuppofede rather to have founde a woman emongifte 
them than in thabbottes chambre. The refte off alle this knaverie 
I fhall differ tyll my cumyng unto you, whiche fhalbe with as muche 
fpede as I can poffible, doyng my allured deligence in the refte. 
Scribulled this Satterday, and written with the hafty hand of your 
affured fervant 

Richard Layton. 

When the vifitors had affembled the brethren together, they 
gave leave to every one under twenty-four years of age to go where 
he pleafed, and if any chofe to quit their monafteries they had a 
fecular drefs given them and forty millings, and were reftored to the 
full privileges of the laity. 

Gifted with fuch unbounded power, it is not to be wondered at 
that the vifitors performed their tafks fometimes in an unfeeling 
manner. Dr. Ap Rice complained to Cromwell of the overbearing 
manner of Dr. Leigh in his vifitations, — that he was too infolent 
and pompatique, and handled the fathers too roughly for not 
meeting him at the door when they had no warning of his coming 
— that he had twelve men waiting on him in livery, befides his 
brother, which were a great tax upon the fmall monafteries, — and 
that he took too much money in the filling up of the vacancies 
which he found in abbeys. 

After the King's fupremacy was eftablifhed, all thofe abbots that 
had formerly received confirmation of the Archbifhop, were now 
confirmed by him, through his Lord Vicegerent Cromwell ; fo that 
when a vacancy occured, care was taken to allow no one to become 
the head of a religious houfe, unlefs he was favourable to the king. 
Leave to elect was given, but the name of the perfon to be chofen 

•$. 4- 



7 2 



ROCHE ABBEY. 



+ 



was iirfl declared. It is not unlikely that Henry Cundal, the 
laft abbot of Roche, was inftituted in this manner, for no record of his 
confirmation and benediction can be found in the Regifters of the 
Archbifhops of York. 

What treatment the brethren of Roche experienced at the hands 
of Doctors Legh and Layton is not known, nor has the document 
defcribing the moral condition in which the monaftery was then 
found been preferved. 

The queftions which the vifitors demanded of them were eighty- 
fix in number, and have been epitomized by Burnet as follows : — 

Whether divine fervice was kept up day and night, in the right 
hours ? and how many were commonly prefent, and who were 
frequently abfent ? 

Whether the full number, according to the foundation, was in 
every houfe ? Who were the founders ? What additions have been 
made fince the foundation ? and what were their revenues ? Whether 
it was ever changed from one order to another ? By whom ? and 
for what caufe ? 

What mortmains they had ? And whether their founders were 
fufEciently authorized to make fuch donations ? 

Upon what fuggeftions and for what caufes they were exempted 
from their diocefans ? Their local ftatutes were alfo to be feen and 
examined. 

The election of their head was to be inquired into. The rule 
of every houfe was to be confidered. How many profefled ? And 
how many novices were in it ? And at what time the novices 
profefTed ? 

Whether they knew their rule, and obferved it ? Chiefly the 
the three vows of poverty, chaftity, and obedience ? Whether any 
of them kept any money without the Mailer's knowledge ? Whether 
they kept company with women within or without the monaftery ? 
Or if there were any back-doors by which women came within 
the precincts ? Whether they had any boys lying by them ? 

Whether they obferved the rules of filence, falling, abftinence, 
and hair fhirts ? Or by what warrant they were difpenfed with in 
any of thefe ? 

Whether they did eat, fleep, wear their habit, and ftay within 
the monaftery, according to their rules ? 

Whether the Mafter was too cruel or too remifs ? And whether 
he ufed the brethren without partiality or malice ? 

Whether any of the brethren were incorrigible ? Whether the 
Mafter made his accompts faithfully once a year ? 



+ ■ 



-••• 



& 4* 

JOHN HESLINGTON—HENRT CUNDJL. 73 

i 

Whether all the other officers made their accompts truly ? And 
whether the whole revenues of the houfe were employed according 
to the intention of the founders ? 

Whether the fabric was kept up, and the plate and furniture 
were carefully preferved ? 

Whether the convent feal and the writings of the houfe, were 
well kept ? And whether leafes were made by the matter to his 
kindred and friends, to the damage of the houfe ? Whether hofpitality 
was kept ? And whether at the receiving of novices, any money or 
reward was demanded or promifed ? What care was taken to 
inftruct the novices ? 

Whether any had entered into the houfe, in hope to be once 
the mafter of it ? 

Whether in giving prefentations to livings, the Mafter had 
referved a penfion out of them ? Or what fort of bargains he made 
concerning them ? 

An account was to be taken of all the parfonages and vicarages 
belonging to every houfe, and how thefe benefices were difpofed of, 
and how the cure was ferved. 

Having obtained anfwers to the eighty-fix queftions, the Viiitors 
were ordered to give before departing feveral injunctions to the 
following effect : — 

" That they mould endeavour, all that in them lay, that the act 
of the King's fucceffion mould be obferved;" (where it is faid that 
they had under their hands and feals confirmed it. This mows that 
all the religious houfes of England had acknowledged it :) " and 
they mould teach the people, that the King's power was fupreme on 
earth, under God ; and that the Bifhop of Rome's power was ufurped 
by craft and policy, and by his ill canons and decretals, which had 
been long tolerated by the Prince, but was now juftly taken away. 

The -abbot and brethren were declared to be abfolved from any 
oath they had fworn to the Pope, or to any foreign potentate ; and 
the ftatutes of any order, that did bind them to a foreign fubjection, 
were abrogated, and ordered to be razed out of their books. 

That no jmonk mould go out of the precinct, nor any woman 
enter within it without leave from the King or the Vifitor; and that 
there mould be no entry to it but one. a 

Some rules were given about their meals ; and a chapter of the 
Old or New Teftament was ordered to be read at every one. The 
Abbot's table was to be ferved with common meats, and not with 

'The ftri&nefs of this injun&ion was intolerable, and was the caufe of many giving up the monaftic life. 

& $. 

IO 



♦§* 



74 



ROCHE ABBEY. 



-+ 



delicate and ftrange difhes; and either he or one of the feniors, was 
to be always there to entertain ftrangers. 

Some other rules follow about the diftribution of their alms, 
their accommodation in health and ficknefs. One or two of every 
houfe were to be kept at the univerfity, that, when they were all 
inftructed, they might come and teach others : and every day there 
was to be a lecture of divinity for a whole hour : the brethren muft 
all be well employed. 

The Abbot or head was every day to explain fome part of the 
rule, and apply it to Ch rift's law ; and to mow them that their 
ceremonies were but elements introductory to true Chriftianity ; 
and that religion confifted not in habits, or in fuch like rites, but in 
cleannefs of heart, purenefs of living, unfeigned faith, brotherly 
charity, and true honouring of God in fpirit and in truth : that 
therefore they muft not reft in their ceremonies, but afcend by them 
to true religion. 

Other rules are added about the revenues of the houfe, and 
againft waftes ; and that none be entered into their houfe, nor 
admitted under twenty-four years of age. 

Every prieft in the houfe was to fay mafs daily ; and in it to 
pray for the King and Queen. 

If any broke any of thefe inj unctions, he was to be denounced to 
the King, or his Vifitor General. 

The Vifitor had alfo authority to puniih any whom he fhould 
find guilty of any crime, and to bring the Vifitor General fuch of 
their books and writings as he thought fit. 

Cromwell's Vifitors having afcertained the condition of every 
religious houfe, at length returned and laid upon the table of the 
Houfe of Commons the famous "Black Book" of the Monasteries 
which ftated that two thirds of the monks of England were living a 
life fo drunken, fo profligate, and fo iniquitous that the details of it 
may not be entered into. This parliament affembled on the 4th of 
February, 1536, and be it remembered it was a Catholic one. When 
the contents of the "Black Book" were read out in the Parliament 
Houfe, the indignation produced was fo great that the cry arofe of 
"Down with them ! " a and under the influence of this ftrong feeling 
the Act for the diffolution of the fmaller monafteries having a yearly 
income lefs than two hundred pounds, was paffed, "by the confent 
of the great and fatte abbottes" fays Grafton? "in hope that their 
great monafterys fhould have continued ftill. But even at that 



'Latimer's Sermons, p. 123. 



'p. 445. 



*■ 



4- •$• 

JOHN HESLINGTON—HENRT CUNDAL. y 5 



tyme one fayde in parliament houfe, that thefe were as thornes, but 
the great abbottes were putrifyed old okes, and they muft needs 
followe." 

The preamble of this act runs as follows : — 

" FORASMOCH as manifeft fynne, vicious, carnall and ab- 
omynable lyvyng, is dayly ufed and commytted amonges the lytell 
and fmal eabbeys, pryoryes, and other relygyous houfes of monkes, 
chanons, and nounes, where the congregacion of fuch relygyous 
perfones is under the nombre of XII perfones, whereby the gouv- 
ernours of fuch relygyous houfes and thir convent, fpoyle, deftroye, 
confume and utterly wafte, afwell their churches, monafteyres, 
pryoryes, principall houfes, fermes, granges, landes, tenementes, 
and heredytamentes, as the ornaments of ther churches and ther 
goodes and cattalle, to the high dyfpleafour of Almyghty God, 
flaunder of good relygyon, and to the greate infamy of the kynges 
highnes and the realm, if redres fhuld not be hadde therof; 
and albeit that many contynuall vyfytacions hath bene hertofore 
had by the fpace of two hundreth years and more, for an honeft 
and charytable reformacion of fuch unthrifty, carnall and abhom- 
ynable lyvyng, yett nevertheleffe, lytell or none amendement ys 
hytherto hadde, but ther vycyous lyvigng fhameleily encreaffeth and 
augmentith, and by a curfed cuftome is fo rooted and enfefted that 
a greate multytude of the relygyous perfones in fuch fmale houfes 
doo rather chofe to rove abrode in apoftafy than to conforme them 
to the obfervacions of good relygyon ; foe that without fuche fmall 
houfes be utterly fuppreffed, and the relygyous perfons therein com- 
mytted to greate and honorable monafteries of relygyon in this realme 
where thei maye be compelled to lyve relygyoufly for the reforma- 
cion of their lyves, ther canne elles be noo reformacion in this 
behalf. In conclufion whereof the Kynge's moil Roy all Majefty 
beyng fupreme hede on erthe under God of the church of England, 
dayly findyng and devyfyng the increafe advauncement and exaltation 
of true dodlryne and vertue in the feid churche, to the onelye glorye 
and honor of God and the totall extirpyng and dyfhruccion of vyce 
and fynne, havyng knowledge that the premyfes be true, as well by 
the comptes of his late vyfytacions as by fundry credyble informacions, 
confyderyng alfo that dyverce greate folempne monafteryes of this 
realme, wherein, thankes be to God, relygyon is right well kept and 
obferved, be deftytute of fuch full noumbers of relygyous perfons as 
they ought and maye kepe, hath thought good that a playne declar- 
acion mould be made of the premyfes afwell to the lordes fpirituall 
and temporall as to other his lovyng fubjectes the commons in this 

4* •$• 



y6 ROCHE ABBEY. 

prefent parliament arfembled; whereupon the feid lordes and commons 
by a greate deliberacion fynally be refolved, that yt ys and fhalbe 
moche more to the pleafour of Almyghty God and for the honor of 
this his realme that the poffemons of fuch fpiritual relygyous houfes, 
nowe beyng fpent, fpoyled, and waited for increafe and mayntenance 
of fynne, mould be ufed and converted to better ufes, and the 
unthrifty relygyous perfons foo fpendyng the fame to be compellyd 
to reforme their lyves. And therupon moft humbly defire the 
kynge's highnes that yt may be enacted by auctoryte of this prefent 
parliament, that his majeftie fhall have and enjoy to hym and his 
heirs for ever all and fynguler fuche monafteryes pryoryes and 
other relygyous houfes of monkes, chanons, and nonnes, of what 
kyndes or dyverfyties of habyttes, rules, or orders foo ever ther be 
called or named, which have not in landes and tenements, rentes, 
tythes, porcions and other heredytamentes, above the clere yerely 
value of two hundreth pounds ; and in lyke maner fhall have and 
enjoy all the fcytes and circuytes of every fuche relygyous houfes, 
and all and fynguler the manors, granges, meafes, londes, tenements, 
revercions, rents, fervyces, tythes, pencions, portions, churches, 
chapelles, advowfons, patronages, annuyties, rightes, entres, condy- 
cions, and other heredytamentes apperteynyng or belongyng to every 
fuche monafterye, pryory, or other relygyous houfe, not havyng as 
ys aforefeid above the feid clere yearly value of two hundreth poundes, 
in as large and ample maner as the abbottes, pryours, abbeffes, 
pryoreffes, or other governers, of fuche monafteryes, pryoryes, and 
other relygyous houfes now have or ought to have the fame in 
the right of ther houfes. And that alfo his highnefs fhall have to 
hym and to hys heires all and fynguler fuch monafteryes, abbeis, and 
pryoryes whiche at eny tyme, within one yere next aftre the makyng 
of this acte, hath be gevyn and graunted to His Majefty by any 
abbot, pryor, abbes or pryores, under the covent feals, or that other- 
wyfe hath be fuppreffed or dyfolved. And all and fynguler the 
manors, londes, tenementes, rentes, fervyces, revercions, tythes, 
pencions, portions, churches, chappelles, advowfons, patronages, 
rightes, entrees, condicions, and all other intereftes and hereditaments 
to the fame monafteryes, abbeys, and pryoryes, or to any of them, 
apperteynyng or belongyn. To have and to holde all and fynguler the 
premyffes with all ther rightes, profyttes, juryfdiccions, and commody- 
tyes, unto the Kyng's Majeftye and to his heires and affigns for ever, 
to doo and ufe therwyth his and ther owen wylles to the pleafor of 
Almyghty God and to the honor and profytte of thys realme." a 

a 27 Hen. VIII. cap. 28. 

4? * 



JOHN HESLINGTON—HENRT CUNDAL. y 7 

Provifion is then made to render void any alienations of land or 
property which any abbot may have made, fearing the diffolution of 
his monaftery. All ornaments and goods are given to the King as 
well as the monafteries themfelves and their lands. The greater 
monafteries are ordered to admit the members turned out of the 
leffer. 

The yearly income of Roche Abbey having been returned as more 
than two hundred pounds/ it was not affected by this act. It how- 
ever had a very narrow efcape, as the furplus income which preferved 
it was only twenty-two pounds. 

To carry out the act of Suppreffion, Doctors Legh and Layton 
again made their unwelcome appearance in Yorkshire, and, as might 
be anticipated, were not more popular than they had been during 
their former vifit. In fact it was impoffible that men whofe employ- 
ment was one of facrilege and deftruction, could be looked upon by 
any but a few Puritans, with anything but diffatiffaction. Their 
fervants alfo treated the monks with an infolent contempt ; taking 
from the churches and chapels of the diffolved houfes, their relics and 
fpoils, and difplaying them as they travelled from one place to another. 
Some made faddle-cloths of the church veftments, or wore them as 
garments ; and fome hammered the filver relic cafes into fheaths for 
their daggers. The people feeing thefe things going on, began to 
wonder what would be the end, and a rumour foon fpread that all 
religion was to be done away with, and that the parifh churches 
would foon fhare the fate of the monafteries, 'or that only one for 
every feven or eight miles would be left, the plate of which would 
be confifcated, and chalices of tin fupplied inftead. They alfo 
thought from the enquiries which Cromwell was making about 
births, deaths, and marriages, that they would foon have to pay a 
fine to the King for every chriftening, burial and wedding, whereas 
that fagacious ftatefman had only the admirable intention, which he 
two years afterwards carried out, of inftituting parifh registers. In 
all thefe fufpicions, the people were encouraged by the great abbots, 
who were now forely taxed by the crowds of monks who arrived 
from the fuppreffed houfes, and who knew well that their turn was 
foon coming. 

At Louth, in Lincolnfhire, the feeling of the priefts and people 
had grown fo ftrong, that it at length broke out into a formidable 
infurrection. Beginning on the firft of October, 1536, with a few 
inhabitants gathered together in a knot on the green of the town, 
and headed by a cobbler, they in a few days numbered thoufands, 

a See " Valor Ecclefiafticus." 



♦$• 



7* 



ROCHE ABBEY. 



-* 



there being among them priefts, and monks to the number of feven 
or eight hundred, whofe words of peace were "Kill the gentlemen, 
if they will not join us they mail be hanged.'" 1 

On the third of October they drew up fix demands which were 
to be made of the King. The firft was that the religious houfes 
mould be reflored; and the others required that they mould be 
relieved from obnoxious taxes and perfons, one of the latter of courfe 
being Cromwell. Two mefTengers were fent to London with thefe 
demands, and while they were detained there, fixty thoufand rebels 
had found their way to Lincoln, but for want of provifions, could 
not remain there. The royal army feeing them rapidly difperfing, 
began to fear there would be no battle. 

After fome time the anfwers to the demands of the rebels arrived 
and were read in the chapter houfe of the Cathedral. Thefe being 
more or lefs fatiffactory, the rebel army being much demoralized, 
broke up, the whole rifing and difperfion having occupied lefs than 
a fortnight. But the fire of infurreclion only fmouldered ! 

€f)c pilgrimage of <®racc. 

THE rebellion in Lincolnfhire was immediately followed by a 
ftill more formidable rifing in Yorkshire, called the " Pilgrimage 
of Grace." One Robert Afke, a Yorkshire gentleman and a barrifter 
in good practice at Weftminfter, and who had been fpending the 
law vacation in his native country, on his way back to his bulinefs, 
met with a party of the Lincolnfhire rebels who demanded his name, 
and offered him the popular oath to be "faithful to the King, the 
Commonwealth, and to Holy Church." Thefe rebels having thus 
" taken " him, as Afke afterwards called it, became his body-guard, 
and with ftrange rapidity, the name of Afke became the rallying 
cry of the rebels. 

Upon the failure of the infurgents in Lincolnfhire, Robert Afke 
left that country and returned into Yorkfhire, and there he grew 
ftill more famous. The fire of infurrection re-kindled, and the fluff 
of the Yorkfhire rebels proved to be even more inflammable than 
that of the Lincolnfhire. Bells and beacon-fires were clanging and 
burning all over the country, and addreffes bearing the name of 
Robert Afke, which he afterwards declared to be forgeries, were 
handed about and ported on every church door, requefting the 
people to affemble "to preferve the Churche of God frome fpoylyng 
&c." 

a Froude, vol. iii., p. 114. 



* 



-* 



•$• <%. 

JOHN HESLINGTON—HENRT CUNDAL. 79 

Upon hearing of the infurrection, the King wrote to Lord 
Darcy to fupprefs it, but that nobleman fhut himfelf up in his 
Caftle of Pomfret, and would not mutter his men. 

On the 14th of October, the rebel force collected on Weighton 
Common, where Afke was chofen commander-in-chief. This army 
appears to have been a very formidable one, as the men were ftrong 
and well armed. They were grouped, according to their parifhes, 
in companies, the priefts bearing the croffes of their churches before 
them. On their banners they had a crucifix with the five wounds 
and a chalice ; and every one wore on his fleeve as the badge of the 
party an emblem of the five wounds of Chrift, with the name Jefus 
wrought in the midft. a 

Before this force, Hull, Pomfret, and York foon furrendered, and 
in all the places where they were victorious, the monks were rein- 
ftated in their monafteries, and " though it were never fo late when 
they returned," writes the Earl of Oxford to Cromwell, " the 
friars fang matins the fame night." 

On the 2 1 ft of October, the rebel army had its head quarters at 
Pomfret, in the caftle of which place " the great captain " Afke 
fat at tbe head of the rebel council, together with the Archbifhop 
of York, Lord Darcy, and others. Here he received " with a cruel 
and ineftimable proud countenance," the Lancafter Herald, who 
had been fent with a royal proclamation, and which proclamation, 
in fpite of the entreaties of the Herald, he would on no account 
allow to be read. 

On the 24th of October, the royal army under the Duke of 
Norfolk and Lord Shrewfbury, was at Doncafter, to which place 
the rebels alfo marched from Pomfret, thirty thoufand ftrong, the 
royalift army numbering no more than eight thoufand. 

Having arrived, they deployed along the banks of the river, 
which was much fwollen, from Ferribridge to Doncafter; and thus 
with the river dividing them, the two armies lay watching each 
other for two days ; the heads of each party, in the meanwhile 
endeavouring to come to fome arrangement which might prevent 
bloodfhed. 

At length, on the 26th of October, it was agreed that a confer- 
ence fhould be held upon the bridge, when nine gentlemen from 
either fide met, and Sir Thomas Hilton, on behalf of the rebels, 
explained their demands. Thefe were arranged into twenty-four 
articles. b The portions of thefe articles which more particularly 
relate to our fubject, were that "the abbeys fuppreffed be reftored — 

3 Burnet, vol. i. p. 416. b Froude, vol. iii., p. 136. 

4 1 4 



80 ROCHE ABBEY. 

houfes lands and goods." " That the Lord Cromwell have condign 
punifhment as a fubverter of the good laws of the realm." "That 
Dr. Legh and Dr. Layton have condign punifhment for their 
extortions in the time of their vifitation of the religious houfes, and 
other their abominable acts by them committed and done." 

This conference lafted the whole day, and in the darknefs of 
night it was agreed that Sir Robert Bowes and Sir Ralph Ellercar, 
accompanied by the Duke of Norfolk, as an interceffor, mould carry 
the articles to the King. It was alfo arranged that there mould be 
an armiflice, and that the muttered on both fides fhould be difbanded. 

On the 29th of October, the King received the meffengers 
gracioufly, and in order to gain time, detained them a fortnight ; in 
the meanwhile fending meffengers north to endeavour to combat 
the delufions of the people. 

On the 14th of November, Bowes and Ellercar were difmiffed 
" with general inflructions of comfort," and a promife that a final 
reply fhould be given in a month. But when at length this anfwer 
arrived, it did not fuit the infurgents, and after a hafly council, held 
at York, Afke again collected his army. The royal army alfo 
reoccupied the line of the Don, and had its head-quarters at Rother- 
ham. And yet only one thing kept up the infurrection. The 
King would not grant a complete pardon to the rebels. He would 
have five or fix of the worft. offenders. 

This obftacle at length, however, was removed, the King 
granting, by the advice of his privy-council, a general pardon ; 
and on the 2nd of November, an agreement was come to at Doncafter, 
the rebels believing that their entire petition had been granted. At 
the clofe of this meeting, Afke knelt down in the prefence of the 
Lords, and having defired that he fhould no more be called "captain," 
with others, pulled off their badges croffed with the five wounds, all 
of them faying " we will wear no badge or figure but the badge of 
our fovereign Lord." 

It had been well if the "Pilgrimage of Grace" had thus ended, 
but the people growing fufpicious that the King's promifes would not 
all be fulfilled, again rofe under Sir Francis Bigod. George the 
eldeft. fon of Lord Lumley, tried to take Scarborough and failed. 
Hallam attempted Hull with the fame refult. Bigod fucceeded in 
taking Beverley, but was foon obliged to fly. 

The King enraged at this new rebellion, fent down orders to 
execute a large number of the infurgents in every town and village, 
and make fuch a " fearful fpectacle " as mall be a warning to others, 
and " Finally, forafmuch as all their troubles have enfued by the 



•$• 



JOHN HESLING TON—HENRT C VNDAL. 8 1 

folicitation and traitorous confpiracies of the monks and canons of 
thofe parts, we defire you at fuch places as they have confpired or 
kept their houfes with force fince the appointment at Doncafter, 
you mail, without pity or circumftance, caufe all the monks and 
canons that be in any wife faulty, to be tied up without further 
delay or ceremony. " The Duke of Norfolk obeyed this order and 
hanged feventy-four perfons. The Abbot of Kirkftead, the Abbot 
of Barlings, and feventeen others were alfo hanged at Lincoln. The 
Abbot of Fountains, the Abbot of Jervaulx, the Abbot of Rievaulx, 
the Prior of Bridlington, Bigod and others were hanged at Tyburn. 
Lord Darcy and Afke were alfo arretted and accufed of having been 
concerned in this frefh attack. On the arreft of Afke, " his fervant, 
Robert Wall, did call himfelf upon his bed and cried * Oh, my 
matter ! Oh, my matter ! they will draw him, and hang him, and 
and quarter him ; ' and therewith he did die for forrow." The 
prophecy of this faithful one was only too true. In July, 1537, 
Robert Afke was drawn through the ftreets of York on a hurdle, 
and afterwards hanged, from the top of a high tower, his laft requeft 
being granted " Let me be full dead or that I be difmembered, 
that I may pioufly give my fpirit to God, without more pain." 
Lord Darcy was executed on Tower Hill. And thus, at laft, 
drowned in *its own blood, rebellion died ! 

The demolition of the religious houfes which had been checked 
for awhile by the rebellion, again commenced, and went on rapidly. 
And the King knowing that he had nothing now to fear, began to 
make arrangements for the fuppreffion of the greater monafteries. 

In the fummer of 1537, a new vifitation of the religious houfes 
was ordered. Dr. Legh and Dr. Layton being again appointed 
Vifitors for the North of England. They were ordered to examine 
the monks ftriclly in all things that related either to their affection 
to the King and the fupremacy, or to their fuperftition, in their 
feveral houfes ; to difcover what cheats and impoftures there were 
either in their images, relics or other miraculous things, by 
which they had drawn people to their houfes on pilgrimages, and 
gotten from them any great prefents. Alfo to try how they were 
affected during the late commotions ; and to difcover every thing 
that was amifs in them, and report it to the Lord Vicegerent* 

In anfwer to thefe queftions we have the following document 
relating to Roche, two copies of which exift. One in the Rolls 



a Burnet. 



♦ 



*- 



-+ 



ROCHE ABBEY. 



Houfe, " Hijiorical and other documents, No. 761,] p. 8." and the 
other in the Britifh Mufeum, "Lansdowne MSS., 988 fol. 4." 

"The compendium of the difcoveries made by Dr. Legh and Dr. 
Layton in the vifitation of the royal province of York in the 
Bifhoprics of Coventry, Lichfield and others, in the time of Henry 
VIII. 

ftupa alta# HSotfie* 

William Hela 
John Wheland 
Sodomites, -j Robert Reine 
Henry Wilfon 
John Doddefworth. 

Sufpecled of j j on n Robinfon, fufpefted of the crime of treafon and 
Treafon. \ * imprifoned at York. 



Superjiition. 



' Pilgrimage is made hither to an Image of the 
Crucifix, found (as it is believed) on a rock, 
and is held in veneration. 



Founder. { The Earl of Cumberland. 

The annual account, 170/. 
The Houfe owes 20/."" 

There are many points of interefl in the foregoing writing. Of 
the five monks who are faid to have been guilty of an unnatural 
crime, two, John Wheland and Robert Rein had left the monastery 
before the difiblution, which took place a year afterwards. 

John Robinfon, who at the time of the vifitation was confined in 
York Caftle, fufpecied of treafon, was probably not guilty, as we find 
him liberated and receiving his penfion in the reign of Queen Mary. 

The fearch for objects of fuperftition feem not to have been very 
fuccefiTul at Roche, as only the Image of the Crucifix on a Rock b 
is recorded ; but at other Houfes mofl extraordinary objects were 
found. Relics innumerable. The parings of St. Edmund's toes ; 

* Memorandum (in a modern hand) " This filthy Book of Calumnies was invented by the Commiffioners for 
the purpofe of juftifying the fuppreffion of the religious houfes, and the robbery of the Church. It is referred to 
in 'Burton's Anatomy of Melancholy,' Part 3, Sec. 2, number I." 

Another memorandum fays "The whole of the vifitation is of this difcription." 

b I have fought in vain for any traces of this curious object. The Vifitors had inftrucYions to deface and utterly 
deftroy everything of an ufelefs or fuperftitious charafter, and they feem to have done their work thoroughly here. 



•fr- 



JOHN HESLINGTON—HENRT CVNBAL. 83 

the pen-knife and boots of St. Thomas a Becket; pieces of the true 
crofs, enough to build a fhip ; a piece of St. Andrew's finger, 
in pledge for 40/, but which the Vifitor will not redeem at the 
price. In fact every reliquary feems to have been 

" Icrammed ful of cloutes and bones " 

each one fuppofed to have its own peculiar power. There were 
relics againft bad weather, againft weeds, againft difeafe and pain, 
and there were relics which would bring you every blemng, 
" So that he offer pense or elles grotes." 

But what brought the monks into ill favour more than thefe relics 
was their images. The moft popular of thefe was the Crucifix of 
Boxley Abbey, in Kent, which went by the name of " the rood of 
grace" The eyes of this Image on fit occafions "did ftir like a 
lively thing," the body bowed, the forehead frowned, and the 
lower lip dropped as if about to fpeak. The people of Kent believed 
in this rood above all others, and the offerings to it were enormous. 
At length, however, a fceptical commiflioner arrived, and nothing 
awed, examined the figure clofely. The refult of this inflection was 
the difcovery of a fufficient amount of mechanifm to produce the 
forementioned actions. The Image was immediately taken down 
and publicly exhibited. It was fhewn at Maidftone. It performed 
before the court at Whitehall, and finally, it went through its 
motions at Paul's Crofs, where the Bifhop of Rochefter lectured 
upon it, and when the indignation of the people was at its higheft, 
it was given to them, and in a few moments it was torn in pieces. 
Celebrated Images from Wallingham, Ipfwich, Doncafter, and 
Penrice, were alfo brought to Smithfield, and burnt together. 

When the people faw how they had for centuries been deceived 
and tricked out of their money, a ftrong reaction took place, and 
inftead of the feeling of fear and devotion which had fo long chained 
them, a recklefs and barbarous inconoclafm now poffefTed their 
minds ; and they were ready when a religious houfe was fup- 
prefTed, to pull down, fpoil and pilfer, and to defecrate even the 
churches in which only a few days before they had worshipped ! 

But to recur to the difcoveries of Dr. Legh and Dr. Layton at 
Roche. The Earl of Cumberland is returned as the Founder. 
This was Henry Clifford, the firft earl and the defcendant of Thomas 
de Clifford, the fixth lord, whofe daughter, Matilda, Countefs of 
Cambridge, became founder of Roche in 1446. (See page 59.) 

It will alfo be feen that the yearly income had fallen in a year 
from 222/ to 170/, and that the Houfe had run into debt 20/. This 

4- ^ 



& & 

84 ROCHE ABBET. 

falling off in the yearly value, laid Roche Abbey under the power of 
the act for the fuppreffion of the leffer monafteries, and looks as if 
Henry Cundal, the laft abbot, like the abbots of other Houfes, 
had made away with the property to enrich himfelf before being 
driven out. 

A year after this fecond vifitation of the monafteries, Roche 
Abbey was furrendered to the Crown. 

£utrcn&c£ $>ecfc of ftocfjc SUfcfocp, 

"TO all the faithful in Chrift, to whom the prefent writing may 
come, Henry (Cundal) Abbot of the Monaftery or Abbey of the 
Bleffed Mary the Virgin, of Roche, in the diocefe of York, of the 
Ciftercian order, and the Convent of the fame place, eternal falvation 
in the Lord ! 

KNOW YE that We, the aforefaid Abbot and Convent by 
unanimous affent and confent, after due deliberation in our minds, 
of our certain knowledge, and by our own pure acl, for certain juft and 
reafonable caufes fpecially moving our minds and confciences thereto 
of our own accord and will, have given and granted and by thefe 
prefents do give and grant, yield and confign to our Moft Illuftrious 
Prince and Lord, Henry VIII, by the grace of God, of England and 
France, King, Defender of the Faith, Lord of Ireland, and on Earth 
Supreme Head of the Engliih Church, the whole of our faid Mon- 
aftery or Abbey of Roche and all the lite, groundplot, circuit and 
precinct of the faid Monaftery of Roche aforefaid, Alfo all and 
lingular manors, demefnes, meffuages, gardens, backyards, tofts, lands 
and tenements, meadows, paftures, woods, rents, reverfions and fer- 
vices, mills, tranfit fees, military fees, wards, marriage fees, born 
villeins with their belongings, commons, liberties, frankpledges, 
jurifdictions, offices, courtleets, hundreds, views of frankpledge, fairs, 
markets, parks, warrens, vineyards, waters, fifheries, ways, paths, 
empty homefteads, advowfons, nominations, appointments, donations 
of churches, vicarages, chapels, chantries, hofpitals and other eccle- 
fiaftical benefices whatever, rectories, vicarages, chantries, penfions, 
portions, annuities, tithes, oblations, and all and lingular our emolu- 
ments, profits, poffeffions, hereditaments, and rights whatever, as 
well within the faid County of York as within the Counties of 
Lincoln, Derby and Nottingham or elfewhere within the realm of 
England, Wales and the marches thereof, whatever way belonging, 
regarding, appending or devolving upon the fame Monaftery or . 



•fr — ■ — <& 

THE DISSOLUTION. 85 

Abbey of Roche aforefaid ; and all our charters, evidences, writings, 
and muniments of every kind in any way regarding or concerning 
the faid Monaftery or Abbey, its manors, lands and tenements and 
the reft of the premifes with the appurtenances, or any parcel there- 
of; TO HAVE, hold and enjoy the faid Monaftery or Abbey, its 
fite, groundplot, circuit, and precinct of Roche aforefaid; alfo all 
and lingular domains, manors, lands, tenements, rectories, penfions 
and the reft of the premifes with all and lingular their appurtenances, 
to the aforefaid our moft Invincible Prince and Lord King Henry, 
his heirs and affigns, to whom for all effect of law in this behalf 
which may or can follow therefrom, we fubject and fubmit as in 
duty bound, ourfelves and the faid Monaftery or Abbey of 
Roche aforefaid, and all rights in whatever way by us acquired, 
giving and granting, as by thefe prefents we do give and grant to 
the faid Royal Majefty, his heirs and affigns, all and every manner 
of full and free faculty, authority and power to difpofe of us and all 
the Monafteries of Roche aforefaid, together with all and fingular 
manors, tenements, lands, rents, penfions, fervices and fingular the 
aforefaid, with their rights and appurtenances, and at his Royal 
pleafure and will to alienate, give, convert and tranffer to any ufes 
whatever, according to his Majefty 's pleafure, and fuch difpofals, 
alienations, donations, converfions and tranflations by his faid Majefty 
■in what manner foever to be made, we promife by thefe prefents 
that we will confider that they ought from that time forth to be 
ratified, and will hold them ratified, granted and for ever confirmed. 
And that all and fingular the premifes may have due effect, we have 
moreover of our own free choice, for ourfelves and our fucceffors, 
openly, publicly, expreffly, with fure knowledge and willing minds, 
renounced and ceafed from all quarrels, provocations, appeals, actions, 
litigations and inftances whatever on our part which in any way 
feek or may hereafter feek for remedies and benefits for us and our 
fucceffors in that behalf under pretext of difpofal, alienation, tranf- 
lation and converfion aforefaid and the reft of the premifes, all 
miftakes arifing from fraud, fear, ignorance, or any other matter 
having without difpute, exception, objection or allegation, been 
entirely removed and laid afide, as by thefe prefents we do renounce 
and ceafe from, and in this writing give up our intereft in the fame. 
AND WE the aforefaid Abbot and Convent and our fucceffors- will 
warrant againft all people by thefe prefents, the faid Monaftery, 
precinct, lite, manfion and Church of Roche aforefaid, and all and 
lingular the manors, demefnes, meffuages, gardens, backyards, tofts, 
meadows, feedings, paftures, woods, underwoods, lands, tenements 

.$. „<&> 



*■ 



-# 



86 



ROCHE ABBET. 



and all and fingular the reft of the premifes with the appurtenances 
to the faid Lord the King his heirs and affigns for ever. In 
teftimony whereof We the aforefaid Abbot and Convent have 
caufed to be placed to this writing our common Seal." Given in 
our Chapter Houfe on the 23rd day of the month of June, in 
the 30th year of the reign of King Henry aforefaid." b (1538.) 

« ■**>* tytwts^cSte^ ~ ^ Henry, Abbot 
rT^ W) -(•g^^'^r^vVo^ Jr^ov-'Thomas Twell, Subprior 
f\£ auc fe^tf^ *V* ^ Richard Drax 

tj /vwv^ ff £JWp&. J- Happa 






.yij^-^rtf^^n. 



K?** 







£ ^~ 









T 



c<w£ 









Nicholas Collys 
Thomas Wells 
J. Dodfworth 
Thomas Cundall 
Richard Fyfhburn 

Thomas Medyltun 
Thomas Acworth 
Henry Wylfon 

Chriftopher Hyrfte 

William Carter 

William Helay 
John Robynfone 

Richard Moflay 
Thomas Smythe 



» See Plate X., Fig. 4. 



b From the Augmentation Office. 



*- 



"* 



— # 

THE DISSOLUTION. 87 

This Deed was executed before Doctor William Petre, a Clerk 
of Chancery, (afterwards Secretary of State) at the time" and place 
above mentioned. 

The fignatures of the Abbot and Monks, fac-fimiles of which 
are here given, are written upon the margin of the deed and are 
becoming very obfcure. 

Of the after hiftory of the monks who ligned the Surrender 
Deed little is known beyond what may be gathered from the 
contents of the following document : 

" The Abbot (Henry Cundal) for penfion XXXIII li Vis. VHId. 

The Sub-prior (Thomas Twell) VI li XI lis. IHId.b 

The Bourfer (John Dodfworth) VI li c 

XI prefts Monks every V li LV li. 

IIII Novices every LXVIs. VHId. XIII li Vis. Vllld. 

The Abbot to have his books and the IHIth parte of the plate 
the Cattal the houfehold ftuf a Challis and Veftment and XXX li in 
money at his departure with a contentment porcion of Corn att 
difcreation. 

Every Monk to have at his departure his haulf years porcion by 
waye of Rewarde and XXs. befides towardes his apparail. 

Every to have his porcion feparite and free. 

Every fervaunt by waye of Reward his haulf yeres wages. 

The Kynges Majeftie to pay the debts of the Houfe." d 

From the handfome provifion made for the Abbot, it may be 
taken for granted that he refigned his abbacy with a good grace, and 
gave the commiflioners very little trouble. 

j?4 In 1553, fifteen years after the diffolution, twelve of the eighteen 
who iigned the Surrender, frill enjoyed their peniions. e 

* The date of the furrender of Roche Abbey, has by all who have written on the fubjectjhitherto, been given as 
1539. The 30th year of Henry VIII begins April 22nd, 1538, and ends April 21ft, 1539. The 23rd of June, 30 
Henry VIII muft therefore be in 1538. 

b Thomas Twell feems to have remained in the neighbourhood of Roche after the diflblution. Mr. Hunter's 
keen eye which omits nothing, firft discovered this interesting faft, from the two following entries in the accounts of 
the Sheffield Church BurgefTes. — " Hallam/hire," p. 140. 

Item. P d to the ryngers y' dyd ryng for Sr. Thomas Twell, at the recevynge of certen stuf gevyn by hym to the 

Church, w th p d to the prestes and clerk for dyrge XVId. 
Item. P d for the costs and charges for feching Sr. Thomas Twell will from Blythe us. 

c The Burfar was the treafurer of the Houfe. He received the rents, paid the wages, and difcharged all the debts 
of the Abbey. 

d Chapter Houfe Ebor. Bag. 25. e Bibl. Bodl. 8° D. 50. 51. Jur. 
4. _ _ ^ 



88 ROCHE ABBEY. 

I s. d, £ s. d. 

Henry Cundal 33 6 8 Thomas Medyltun 500 

Thomas Twell 613 4 Henry Wilfun 500 

John Dodefworth 600 William Carter 500 

Richard Fyfhburn 500 Thomas Welles 500 

Thomas Harryfonne (?) 500 John Robynfone 368 

Nicholas Collys 500 Richard Moflay 368 

The following is an account of the plate, cattle, com, &c, 
which the the Abbey had at the duTolution. The quantity of plate 
is fufpicioufly fmall. Had Henry Cundal, like other abbots, provided 
for the future, by felling part of it?" The fad: of a tabernacle being 
in pledge for 40/ does not allay the doubt. 

" This is the inventorye of all the lands and gudes perteyneing 
to the Monafterye of Roche by eftimacion. 

Imprimes, Landes and tenementes perteyneing to the fame 
Monafterye in divers plalis fome CCXXII li or thereaboutes by 
eftimacion. 

Item. Plate in the fame Monafterye. 

A croffe w 1 a fhanke parcell gilte. 

Item. VII Chalice where of one lentt. 

Item. One croche b parcel gilte. 

Item. A tabarnacle wyche lyes in plege for XL li. 

Item. II faltes gilte wt one covering. 

Item. One ftandinge Cupe w 1 cover parcell gilte. 

Item. One whitt bolle. 

Item. A Alte Cupe parcell gilte. 

Item. Mafers c VI. 

Item. Spoones XXXI I. d 

Item. Catle perteneing to the fame. 

Item. Imprimis. IIII fcore oxen kyen and yonge beftis. 

Item. V cartte horse. 



a The Abbot of Fountains at midnight caufed his chaplain to 6teel the fexton's keys, and took out a jewell and a 
crofs of gold with ftones. One Warren, a Goldfmith of the Chepe, made the Abbot believe a ruby was a garnet, 
and otherwife cheated the venerable Father, he being "a vara fole, and a miferable ideote." "Suppreffion of 
Monasteries p. ioo." 

b Crofier c Wooden Bowls or Goblets. These masers are called "Anasers" in the Mon. Ang. 

d The Vifitors were commanded to take away with them all fuperfluous plate. It would appear from the above 
fuspicioufly small lift that the Abbot of Roche, like the Abbot of Fountains had become aware of the faft, and had 
made a timely difpofal of part of it. 

1 
.£. ^ 



*■ 



THE DISSOLUTION. 89 

Item. II mears one folte and one ftagge." 

Item. VI fcore fhepe yonge and olde. 

Item. XL fwyne yonge and olde. 

Item. XI feder bedes w 1 all other thenges belonging. 

Item. In Whitt and Make IIII fcore quarter. 

(In the oppofite column.) 

Ffeis payed of the fame lands and tenementes as after foluis: — 

The Corrody of John Keeper and his wife Cs. 

Item, imprimis to my lord of Hampton for the Stewardfhipe of 

Armthorpe fomme XXVs Vllld. 
Item. To Thomas Greene for kepeing of the courtes pertening 

to the fame Monafterii, fomme XXXs. 
Item. To the balye of Rokeby, fomme XIIIs. Illld. w 1 a 

lyverye cotte. 
Item. To the balye of Armthorpe fomme XIIIs. Illld., with a 

liverye cotte. 
Item. To James Bankes for Receiving of Rents at Sannbeke 

and Hawton, and other plaifes fomme XXs. b 

Thefe be the detts y* ys owing to the fame Monafterye : — 
Imprimis. Mailer Roberd * * * fomme XVIII li. 

Thefe be the detts that the faid monafterye doth owe : — 

Imprimis. To Matter Robert Stelle fomme XL li. 

Item. To William Hellingworth fomme XX li. 

Item. To Willyam Halle of the newe mylne fomme VI li XIIIs. 
IIIId. c " 

It is rather a lingular fact that the following interesting letter 
mould have efcaped the notice of all previous writers on Roche. It is 
fuppofed to have been written by Cuthbert Shirebrook, a dignified 
ecclefiaftic, who was born near Roche Abbey, and educated at the 
free fchool of Rotherham, and whofe uncle was prefent at the 
fuppreflion of Roche. 

%mtt on tfjc Jatttprc&suon of ftorfjc %bhcp. 

" IN the plucking down of religious houfes for the mod: part 
this order was taken : that the viiitors mould come fuddenly upon 
every houfe and unawares, to the end to take them napping, as 

a A Horfe under three years old. 

b This is not a complete lift of the officers employed by the Abbot of Roche. There was befides thefe a steward 
and a bailiff at Thurstonland, a bailiff at Streethorpe, a steward at Roxby, and a receiver at Barnby. 

c Chapter Houfe, Ebor. Bag. 45. 



-•$♦ 



12 



•$* — ■ — «$• 

90 ROCHE ABBEY. 

the proverb is, left if they fhould have had fo much as any inkling 
of their coming, they would have made conveyance of fome part of 
their own goods to help themfelves withal, when they were turned 
forth of their houfes, and both reafon and nature might well have 
moved them fo to have done, although it will be faid all was given to 
the King before by Act of Parliament; and fo they had neither goods, 
houfes, nor poffeffions. And then they had to give the King great 
thanks, yea pray for him upon their black beads, that he was fo gracious 
a prince to them, to fuffer them to flay fo long after that all was 
given from them. And therefore if the vifitors being the King's 
officers and commiflioners in that behalf, took their dinner with 
them, and then turned them forth to feek their lodging at night, or 
at the furtheft the next day in the morning, where they could find 
it (as it was done indeed,) they did no wrong; nor truly no great 
right : for fo foon as the vifitors were entered within the gates, they 
called the abbot and other officers of the houfe, and caufed them to 
deliver up to them all their keys and took an inventory of all their 
goods, both within doors and without : for all fuch hearts, horfes, 
fheep, and fuch cattle as were abroad in pafhires or grange places, 
the vifitors caufed to be brought into their prefence : and when they 
had fo done, turned the abbot with all his convent and houfehold 
forth of the doors. 

" Which thing was not a little grief to the convent, and all the 
fervants of the houfe departing one from another, and efpecially fuch 
as with their confcience could not break their profeffion: for it would 
have made an heart of flint to have melted and wept to have feen 
the breaking up of the houfe and their forrowful departing ; and 
the fudden fpoil that fell the fame day of their departure from the 
houfe. And every perfon had every thing good cheap ; except the 
poor monks, friars, and nuns, that had no money to befhow of any 
thing : as it appeared by the fuppreffion of an abbey, hard by me, 
called the Roche Abbey ; a houfe of white monks : a very fair 
builded houfe, all of freeftone ; and every houfe vaulted with free- 
ftone, and covered with lead (as the abbeys was in England, as well 
as the churches be.) At the breaking up whereof an uncle of mine 
was prefent, being well acquainted with certain of the monks there ; 
and when they were put forth of the houfe, one of the monks, his 
friend, told him that every one of the convent had given to him his 
cell wherein he lied : wherein was not anything of price, but his 
bed and apparel, which was but fimple and of fmall price : which 



Dr. London on fuppreffing the Charter Houfe gave " to every brodor his celle." — Sir Hy. Ellis', " Orig. Letters," 3rd 

Series, vol. iii. page 183. 



«►- 



THE DISSOLUTION. 91 

monk willed my uncle to buy fomething of him ; who faid, I fee 
nothing that is worth money to my ufe : No, faid he ; give me ijd. 
for my cell door, which was never made with Vs. No, faid my 
uncle, I know not what to do with it. (For he was a young man 
unmarried, and then neither flood in need of houfes nor doors.) a 
But fuch perfons as afterwards brought their corn and hay or fuch 
like, found all the doors either open, or the locks and fhackles 
plucked away, or the floor itfelf taken away, went in and took what 
what they found, filched it away. 

" Some took the fervice books (of parchment?) that lied in the 
church, and laid them upon their waine coppes (waggon copes) to 
piece the fame: fometook windows of the Hayleith and hid them in 
their hay ; and likewife they did of many other things : for fome 
pulled forth the iron hooks out of the walls that bought none, 
when the yeomen and gentlemen of the country had bought the 
timber of the church. For the church was the firft thing that 
was put to the fpoil; and then the abbot's lodging, dortor, (dormitory) 
and frater (refectory) with the cloifter and all the buildings there- 
about, within the abbey walls ; for nothing was fpared but the 
ox-houfes and fwinecoats, and fuch other houfes of office, that flood 
without the walls; 1 ' which had more favour mowed them than the 
very church itfelf; which was done by the advice of Cromwell, as 
Fox reporteth in his book of " ABs a?id Monuments." It would 
have pitied any heart to fee what tearing up of the lead there 
was, and plucking up of boards, and throwing down of the fparres ; 
and when the lead was torn off and caft down into the church, and 
the tombs in the church all broken (for in moft abbeys were divers 
noble men and women, yea and in fome abbeys kings, whofe tombs 
were regarded no more than the tombs of all other inferior perfons : 
for to what end mould they ftand, when the church over them 

■ The monks feem to have been very anxious to make the moft of the occafion to realize as much as possible. 
Dr. Layton, writing from Bifham Abbey, fays. — " When we were makyng falle of the olde veftments within the 
chapitre houfe, the monks cryede a newe marte in the cloister, every man bringing his cowle cafte upon his nee to 
befolde, and folde them indede. — "Ellis, 3rd Series, vol. iii., page 267." 

I am indebted to the Rev. J. Eastwood for the following interesting entry from the Churchwardens accounts at 
Ecclefneld, which fhews that the veftments were fold at Roche : 

" 1542 Sir Robert Cobcroft, ten Shillings, which he paid for veftments at Roche." 

b John Freeman writing to the Lord Privy Seal about the razing of the Abbeys in Lincolnshire fays, — " The King's 
Commission commandeth me to pull down to the grounde all the walls of the Churches, stepulls, cloysters, fraterys, 
dorters, chapter howfys, with all other howfys, faveyng them that be necefTary for a farmer," the charge of doing 
this would be fo great he continues that he thinks it would be best to take down the bells and lead and pull down 
the roofs and batilments and stairs, and "lete the wallis stande, and charge fomwith them as a quarre of ston to make 
lalys of as they that hathe nede will fetche." — Sir Hy. Ellis' " Orig. Letters," 3rd Series, vol. iii., page 269. 

•& __,$. 



92 ROCHE ABBET. 

was not fpared for their caufe,) and all things of price either fpoiled, 
carped away, or defaced to the uttermofi. a 

" The perfons that cafi the lead into fodders, plucked up all the 
feats in the choir, wherein the monks fat when they faid fervice ; 
which were like to the feats in minfters, and burned them, and 
melted the lead there withall : although there was wood plenty 
within a flight fhot of them b for the abbey flood among the woods 
and the rocks of ftone : in which rocks was pewter veffels found 
that was conveyed away and there hid : fo that it feemeth that 
every perfon bent himfelf to filch and fpoil what he could : yea even 
fuch perfons were content to fpoil them, that feemed not two days 
before to allow their religion, and do great worfhip and reverence at 
their mattins, maffes and other fervice, and all other their doings : 
which is a ftrange thing to fay, that they could this day think 
it to be the houfe of God, and the next day the houfe of the devil : 
or elfe they would not have been fo ready to have it fpoiled. 

" For the better proof of this my faying, I demanded of my 
father, thirty years after the fupprefTion, which had bought part of 
the timber of the church, and all the timber in the fleeple, with 
the bell-frame, with others his partners therein, (in the which 
fteeple hung viij. yea ix. bells; whereof the leafl but one could not 
be bought at this day for XXli., which bells I did fee hang there 
myfelf more than a year after the fupprefTion,) whether he thought 
well of the religious perfons and of the religion then ufed ? And he 
told me, yea : for, faid he, I did fee no caufe to the contrary. Well, 
faid I, then how came it to pafs you was fo ready to deftroy and 
fpoil the thing that you thought well of? What fhould I do ? faid 
he. Might I not as well as others have fome profit of the fpoil of 
the abbey ? for I did fee all would away ; and therefore I did as 
others did. c 

" Thus you may fee that as well they that thought well of the 
religion then ufed, as they which thought otherwife could agree 

a The Commiffioners feem to have taken their workmen with them. John Portman writing to Cromwell, from 
Lewes, in Suflex, (the monks of which place had their part with the monks of Roche of the eels caught in the fiflieries 
belonging to Earl Warren, at Hatfield, &c.,) fays, — "We brought from London xvii perfons, 3 carpentars, a fmyths, 
2 plummars, and one that kepith the fornace (/or melting the lead.) Every of thefe attendith to hys own office : 
x of them hewed the walks abowte, among the whych ther wer 3 carpentars, thiere made proctes (props) to under- 
fette wher the other cutte away, thother brake and cutte the waules." — "Suppreffion of Monafteries," page 181. 

b At Fountains Abbey heaps of afhes were found when the nave was excavated, which Mr. Walbran thinks must 
be the remains of the flails and fcreens of that abbey, but we know that all the wood work of the monafteries had 
not this fate. 

c Dr. London writing from Warwick, says, — " The power people thorowly in every place be Co gredy upon thee 
Howiys when they be supprefled that by night and daye, nott only of the townys, but alio of the country, they do 
contynually reforte as long as any dore, wyndor, yren, or glafs, or lowle ledde remaynythe in any of them. In every 
place I kepe wacche as longe as I tary and prifon thole that do thus abufe them ielvys, and yet other will not 
refrayne."— Sir Hy. Ellis' "Orig. Letters," 3rd Series, vol. iii., page 139. 

^ $, 



* 

THE DISSOLUTION. 93 



well enough, and too well, to fpoil them. Such a devil is covetouf- 
nefs and mammon ! and fuch is the providence of God to puniih 
finners, in making themfelves inftruments to puniih themfelves, and 
all their pofterity from generation to generation ! For no doubt 
there hath been millions that have repented the thing fince; but all 
too late. Ajid thus much upon my own knowledge touching the 
fall of the faid Roche Abbey." 3 

The following verfes give in a few words the rife and fall of 
monachifm. They are entitled " A Tale of Robin Hoode dialogue- 
wife, between Watt and Jeffry; b " and, like the foregoing letter, 
they defcribe the eagernefs and greed with which the people feized 
upon the property of the monks when the abbeys were diffolved : — 

" Adam Bell c was ware and wise 
When hee firft began to rise, 
As the bee in summer's prime 
Sucks the marigold and thyme, 
Sucks the rose and daffodill, 
Leaving, taking what fhe will, 
And from flower to flower doth glide, 
Sweetly by the river fide ; 
Where chryflal ftreams delightfull runninge, 
Are ever sweetened with his cumminge. 
Such was Adam in his prime, 
In the flower of his time, 
Soe he taftes every sweete 
Till with fatt he fell afleepe ; 
As he flumbered in the dale, 
Spread upon the gentle vale, 
A famifhed Lion d came that way, 
Hungry, panting for his pray, 
In his grasping pawes he bent him, 
And in pieces all to rent him ; 
Yet his cabin doth remaine 
Beaten with the winds and raine, 
Spoyled of all the pafTers by 
Whose huge frame doth terrify ; 
All that wondrous monument 
All the world's aftonifhment. 
When the wolves 6 and foxes ' saw 
Adam in the Lion's paw ; 
Ours is Robin's ftrength they cried, 
And sett him round on every fide." 

a MS. Cole. vol. xii. p. I — 49. 
MS. Harl. 367 f. 150. c Monachiirn. d King Henry VIII. e Puritans. ' Politicians. 

•$• .$. 



94 ROCHE ABBET. 

But although Cundal had furrendered his Abbey to the King, 
the Commiffioners, on furveying the lands, found their value to 
be over 200/ per annum. It did not therefore yet come under the 
power of the Act. And this being the cafe with many other abbeys, 
a new Act was called for, and paifed in 1539, for the fuppreffion of 
the greater monafteries. By it all the religious houfes e of whatever 
value, which had been or mould be fupprerled, were given to the 
King and his fucceffors for ever. A fweeping fentence ! . Almoft 
enough to make Richard de Bufli and Richard Fitz Turgis, who 
had given their lands to the monks "for ever," rife from their 
graves in remonftrance ! 

But the money of the peaceful monks was required for other 
and far different purpofes. The introduction of artillery had ren- 
dered all our ports and harbours liable to attack and deftruction; every 
expofed pofition therefore, had to be guarded by earthworks, and 
forts, and numerous batteries had to be erected. To accomplifh this 
the fpoils of the Church were ufed. The clear yearly value of all the 
fuppreffed houfes is ftated to have been 1 3 1,607/. &s. 4^-> but the true 
value was at leaft ten times as much," 18,000/ of this money the 
King defigned to convert into a revenue for eighteen 1 " Bifhopricks 
but this number dwindled down to fix. 

Of the inmates of Roche there is little more to fay. A monk of 
Roche compiled a hiftory of the Manor of Todwick, from the 
Conqueft to the reign of Henry III. It is printed in the " Monajlicon." 
Another of the monks fhortly before the dhTolution went about 
making notes of the churches in Yorkshire. It is to be regretted that 
that both his name and MS. are loft, and that all attempts to recover 
them have been fruitlefs. Extracts from the MS. were made by Mr. 
de la Pryme, which are now in the Britifh Mufeum with the reft 
of that gentleman's collection. When he faw it it was bound up 
with other manufcript matter, and in the pofTeflion of Mr. Canby, 
of Thorne. 

In judging of the value of the monaftic inftitution, the diffolution 
of which has now been defcribed, it is not fair to give undue promi- 
nence to that period when decay was faft approaching, left gazing 
on the decrepitude of age, we may chance to forget that the 
healthy vigour of manhood ever exifted. It is eafy to join the 
popular cry, 

» Burnet, Vol. i., p. 488 
b Workfop was to have been one of the eighteen. — "Suppreffion of Monafteries, p. 264. 
c Mr. Hunter has ufed thefe notes in his " Deanery of Doncafter," Vol. i. p.p. 41, 188. 

^ _.£ 



& 



-* 



THE DISSOLUTION. 95 

" O aye, the monks, the monks, they did the mischief 
Theirs all the groffness, all the superftition 
Of a mod gross and superfluous age ! " 

But there doubtlefs was a time when the monks did good fervice 
in England, and 

" We will as soon believe with kind Sir Roger 
That old Moll White took wing with cat and broomflick 
And raised the laft night's thunder," 

as that the inmates of the monafleries were the cheating peftilent 
knaves which fome hiflorians have reprefented them to have been. 
Let us remember that for centuries they were the fole keepers 
of the records of religion philofophy and antiquity ; that to them 
we are indebted for a great portion of the early hiftory. of this 
country; and that they were the promoters of fcience and art. 
They were lawyers, doctors, architects, chemifts, artifls, poets and 
practical farmers. The good they did by fettling down in wafte 
places and reducing them to a ftate of cultivation muft have been 
very great. In wild and folitary places they made roads, cut drains, 
and otherwife rendered them habitable. 

<c Be courteous, Commerce—there are bridges high, 
Ranging their salient angles o'er the strand, 
Which the monks reared ; where some proud dwellings lie, 
A fane exorcised agues from the land." 

There can be no doubt alfo that the monks fpent a large fum 
of money in entertaining flrangers and way-farers, and in alms 
to the poor. A fufficient proof of this may be found in the draft 
of an Act of Parliament, prepared after the difTolution of fome of 
the monafleries for the purpofe of enforcing the practice of hofpit- 
ality upon thofe who bought the abbey lands. In the MS. the 
following palfage is underlined : — 

"NEVERTHELESS, the experience which we have had by 
thofe houfes that are already fuppreffed, lheweth plainly unto us that 
a great hurt and decay is thereby come, and hereafter fhall come, to 
this realm, and great impoverifhing of many the poor fubjects 
thereof, for lack of hofpitality and good houfeholding that were 
wont in them to be kept, to the great relief of the poor people of 
all the counties adjoining the faid monafleries befide the maintaining 
of many fmiths, hufbandmen and labourers that were kept in the 
faid houfes. 

*$• •$» 



96 ROCHE ABBEY. 

It mould therefore be enacted that all perfons taking the lands 
of the fuppreffed houfes muft duly refide upon the faid lands, and 
muft keep hofpitality ; and that it be fo ordered in the leafes. a 

Befides the hofpitality which the monafteries offered they were 
alfo the refuge and the fanctuary of thofe victims of ceafelefs tyranny 
which in the vicinity of a baronial cattle were ever to be found. 

Let us not then condemn monachifm, becaufe when it had 
accomplished its work, it became the parent of ignorance, bigotry, 
and licentioufnefs ; but let us rather recall the period when it was 
" the guardian of learning, the author of civilization and the propa- 
gator of humble and peaceful religion." 

" The sacred taper's light is gone, 
Grey moss has clad the altar-ftone, 
The holy image is overthrown, 

The bell has ceased to toll. 

The long ribbed aisles are burn 1 and fhrunk ; 
The holy fhrine to ruin sunk, 
Departed is the pious monk, 

God's bleffing on his soul ! " 



■ Rolls Houfe MSS., 1st Series, p. 900. 




♦ ■ 4- 



•$• 





HE landed pofleffions of Roche Abbey were for the 
moft part fituated in the Weft Riding of Yorkfhire, 
and within a few miles of the fpot on which the 
Abbey was built ; but other lands of importance 
were in the neighbouring counties of Nottingham, 
Lincoln, Derby, and Lancafter. In the defcriptions 
of the following places, when no County is men- 
tioned, it muft be underftood that they were fituated in Yorkfhire. 

3H6fcip. — The Abbot of Roche had property in this hamlet, 
which is fituated five miles north of Rotherham, but what it was or 
who gave it is not known. It probably came into the hands of the 
monks after the year 1232, and could not have been of great value, 
as, in 1535, it and three other places were together eftimated at only 
33X. gd. per annum. 

SllggCtroft. — The grange of this place was, with its appurte- 
nances, given by the Founders, and confirmed to the monks by 
Alice, Countefs of Eu, in 1219." 

SMtocricp. — Whatever property the monks had here could not 
long have continued in their pofTeflion, for it is not named in the lift 
of the places mentioned in the confirmation of Henry III. 1232, and 
between the years 1238 and 1254 it was exchanged for some lands 
in Slade Hooton, belonging to Robert de Ripariis. (See Loverfal.J 

In 1 277, William, fon of John Vavafor, quitclaimed all right in 
wards, efcheats, &c, in this place. 

%m$ see <£>neagJj. 

3Htt£ton. — Nicholas de Saint Paul gave an oxgang b of land with 

* See page 17. 
b As much land as an ox can plough in a year, varying in quantity from fix to forty acres. 



«i|^" 



'C. 



"•$' 



•$• 



ioo ROCHE ABBEY. 



a toft a and croft here, and confirmed to the monks what had been 
given to them by Leo de Manvers, and Michael, his fon. He alfo 
gave them all the woods and rents which he had recovered from the 
faid Leo and his fon. fSee Brancliffe.) 

The monks held land in Lumby and Afton in 1535, for which 
they paid i 2 d. to the heirs of Weftnis (Wafteneys.) 

3llrmtf)CH:jje* — This place, which in old charters is written Arneld- 
thorpe and Arnethorpe, was a moft important part of the porfeffions 
of the monks. The grange was given them by Thomas de Arne- 
thorpe before 1 1 86. 

Roger, fon of Hugh Fitz Walter, gave two oxgangs of land 
with a toft and croft here, and a culture called Gunhale, with the 
North-wood in this territory, which Agnes, daughter of Robert de 
Brunington, quitclaimed. 

William, fon of Henry de Marifco, in 1246 quitclaimed all his 
rights in the inclofures here. 

Adam, fon of Ralph de Armthorpe, gave one oxgang of land 
here. 

Henry de Armthorpe of Pollington, fon and heir of Adam de 
Armthorpe, quitclaimed all his rights in the manor of Armthorpe 
in 1330. 

Jeremiah, the parfon of Romngton, with his corpfe, gave all his 
meadow in the fouth part of the wood here, called South-wood. 

It appears by "Kirby's Inqueft" that the monks held Armthorpe 
as one Knight's fee b of the King in capite in pure and perpetual alms 
the gift of Richard I. 

In 35 Henry III. the Abbot of Roche had a grant of free 
warren here. This grant was difputed in the time of Edward I., 
and the abbot was fummoned to mow by what warrant he claimed 
free warren. In anfwer the abbot produced the charter of Henry 
III., which fhewed his right. 

In 9 Edward II. the Abbot of Roche was returned Lord of 
Armthorpe. He had in his employ a Steward, a Bailiff/ a Forefter, 
and a Granger, who was a monk. 6 



' A houfe, or rather a place where a houfe flood, which is decayed. 

b A Knight's fee is fo much inheritance as is fufficient to maintain a Knight, which in Henry the Third's 
time was fifteen pounds, or two hundred acres. — Bailey. 

c In 1535, Sir William Fitz William was fteward of Armthorpe, and Miles Wyn bailiff; the former receiving 
40s. and the latter 20s. per annum. 

d See page 89. e See page 34. 
-%> ■ "* 



THE POSSESSIONS. 101 



The yearly income derived from Armthorpe is given in the 
"Valor" as £23 ioj-., this fum being made up of rents, falls of 
wood, profits of court, rents of affize, &c. 

At the Diffolution all the property which the monks had here 
went to the crown, and in 33 Henry VIII., the King, wifhing to 
extend the limits of Hatfield chafe, added Armthorpe to it. Not 
fo much, however, with the intention of increafing the fpace for his 
deer as to enfure their fafe keeping by placing it under the authority 
of the officers of the chafe ; for we find that the manor of Arm- 
thorpe was granted in 1551 to the Duke of Northumberland. It 
had been let from the diffolution until the date of this grant in two 
portions, one at £2 16s. 4^/. and the other at £21 19s. 2d. per 
annum, out of which ly. \d. was paid to the collector of the rents, 
making the clear yearly value £24 2s. 2|d. a 

Stttriiffc* — It would appear from Tanner's references that the 
monks held a tenement in this place, but the reference given is 
incorrect, as it has been found to refer to property formerly belong- 
ing to the Abbot of Weftminfter. It is certain, however, that the 
monks of Roche had poffeffions in the neighbourhood of ArnclirFe, 
and it is not unlikely that they also had the tenement referred to by 
Tanner. 

3H$)cnljccrf) see £ctftfiale. 

Sootier. — Property in this place, which is alfo called Aexoure, 
in Derbyfhire, was given to the monks before the year 11 86, by 
Simon de Plefley. It was ftill in their hands in 1232, but feems to 
have been difpofed of before the diffolution. 

SMherru — In the Confirmation of Henry III. the monks are 
returned as having property in this place. At the diffolution it frill 
remained in their hands. 

25alnc, — Henry, fon of Maurice de Afkern, gave one oxgang of 
land here, but it does not feem to have remained long in the hands 
of the monks. 

25amBp. — The grange of this place was given to the monks 
before the year 1 186, by Gervas de Barnby ; and in 1245, Benedict, 
the Rector of Barnby, gave them the tithe of the grange alfo. 

In 10 John, there was a fine between William Fitz Thomas and 
Alice his wife, and Ofmund the Abbot of Roche, in which a verdict 



Particulars for grants 5 Ed. VI. sect. e. 



■•$•" 



*- 



io2 ROCHE ABBEY. 



was returned for the abbot of one bovate of land with the appurte- 
nances in Barnby. 

In 1 3 Henry III., there was a fine between the Abbot of Roche 
and William, fon of Richard de Barnby, in which the faid William 
acknowledged and granted for himfelf and his heirs that the 
aforefaid abbot and his fucceffors mould, as is fitting, have common 
right of paflure for the whole year, for every kind of beafts from 
the grange of the faid abbot, except goats, everywhere in the wood 
of the faid William de Barnby ; and that they mould have pigs of 
the actual breeding of the faid grange in the fame wood, free from 
pannage" for ever. And, moreover, the faid William granted for 
himfelf and his heirs, that the aforefaid abbot and his fucceffors 
mould have and receive every year from the aforefaid wood, fix 
cartloads of wood for ever, to wit, two cartloads of good building 
timber, of oaks not fhaped, and two cartloads of wood for burning, 
and other two for fencing. And in like manner the faid William 
granted for himfelf and his heirs that whenever it mould happen 
that he pared fods or dug turfs with one or more of his men in the 
faid wood, it mould be quite lawful for the faid abbot and his 
fucceffors to pare fods or dig turfs in the fame place, to the extent 
of half the number of the fame men, without impediment. 

The Abbot of Roche rented land in Barnby of the Lord of 
Sprotburgh. 

At the diffolution the yearly value of Barnby grange was given as 
£y i os. Sd. The monks had alfo a rent-charge of £1 ios. id. and 
rent and a farm valued at 13J. gd., and perquifites of court, is. ^d., 
in all jTg 15^. lod. John Green, bailiff and receiver of Barnby , b 
had ioj-. per annum at the diffolution. 

In 36 Henry VIII., the manor of Barnby, late parcel of the 
poffefTions of Roche, was granted to Richard Turke, citizen of 
London. The quantity and value of the timber growing upon the 
manor of Barnby and Bramwith at this time may be learnt from the 
following entry : — "There be growing aboute the fcytuation of the 
fayd mannor and V tenementes there, and in the hedges inclofyng 
the landes apperteyning to the fame, CXL. okes and afhes of LX. 
and LXXX. yeres growth, mofl parte ufually cropped and fhred, 
whereof LX. referved for tymber for houfboote to repayre the 
houfes flanding uppon the fcyte and for flakes for hedgeboote to 
repayre and maynteyne the faid hedges and fences and LXX. refydue 
valued at VId. the tree whiche is in the holl XLs." c 

I 5 Money paid for licenfe to feed fwine upon maft (i. e. the fruit of wild trees) in the woods. 
b Brother Thomas was granger at Barnby in the time of Henry III., and in trouble. See page 32. 
c Particulars for grants. Mifcellaneous No. 61, Rolls House. 

* : " — # 



-4 



THE POSSESSIONS. 103 

25anioiiJj5tDich. — The grange here is mentioned in King Henry's 
" Valor" as one of the pofiefnons of the monks of Roche, and is 
valued at £8 per annum. It does not feem to have belonged to 
them in 1232, as no mention is made of it in the confirmation of 
Henry III. It was here that the monks of Kirkftall firft fettled in 
1 147. 

2&afcPttp. — The Abbot of Roche had property here in 1232, but 
of what it confirmed and who gave it is not known. It had been 
diipofed of before the difTolution. 

2£>iltjam. — In the reign of King John, William de Barvile gave 
to the monks of Roche four oxgangs in this place and quitclaimed 
his right in four other oxgangs, which Henry de Worthley unjurUy 
detained. Dodfworth fays that he gave the monks all his lands in 
Bilham. 

2Mxtf)e$}ato see €£im£toe. 

2£>Iptf). — John de Kyveton, parfon of the church of Radcliffe- 
on-Trent, made a fine with the King of twenty millings for licenfe 
to affign one mefluage, thirty-fix acres of land, three acres and 
twenty-four millings of rent, with the appurtenances in Blythe and 
Torworth, to the Abbot of Roche and the convent of the faid place. 
(See Kiveton.J 

In the time of Edward III., the Abbot of Roche was fummoned 
to anfwer to the King " by what warrant" he claimed to hold certain 
lands and tenements in Blyth in perpetual alms, free and quit from 
all taxes, &c, in anfwer to which the abbot produced the charter of 
Henry III., a which he faid the prefent King had confirmed at 
Clipfton in his fecond year. In anfwer as to how the abbot and 
his predecerTors had ufed their liberties, twelve jurors on their oath 
faid that they had ufed them well. That they were always amerced 
with others in the country, and as to pontage, they faid that the 
abbot ought not to be quit from making and repairing the bridge 
of Nottingham, called the " Town Bridge." 

In the Regifter of Blyth Priory, fol. 103, there is a compofition 
between the prior and convent of that place, and the prior of Roche, 
acting for the abbot, concerning tithes here. 

In Edward II. the Prior of Blyth held of the Honour of Tick- 
hill the whole town of Blyth in demefne in pure alms, except 4oj\ 
which the Abbot of Roche held in that town in exchange for the 
mill of Serlby in Nottinghamfhire. 



See page 20. 



# 



fy 



104 ROCHE ABBEY. 



25otil&ctocttetoang see €ot>toick, 

25raitf)tudi. — The monks feem to have had no property here 
until the beginning of the thirteenth century. An oxgang of land 
with pafture for eighty fheep was granted them by Thomas, fon of 
Artrop de Braithwell, who alfo confirmed all that his anceftors had 
given, and Richard, his brother, confirmed the fame. 

William, fon of Gerbode gave ten acres of land in the fields of 
this town, with pafture for lixty fheep, and Robert, his brother, 
gave twenty acres of land in the fame fields, with pafture for fix 
fcore fheep. 

The monks of Roche had therefore the right of pafture here for 
two hundred and eighty fheep. 

Before the difTolution the monks paid one quarter of corn yearly 
at the mill of Coningfborough from the land which they held in 
Braithwell. After the difTolution the houfe and land of the abbot, 
together with fome property called Bellftring Lands, were let to 
W. Wilfon at £1 6s. 2d. per annum, paying thence to the crown 
24.C, and to Lord Hundefdon at his manor of Coningfborough one 
quarter of wheat. In 1563 all this property was granted to Charles 
Jackfon, of Firbeck, Co. Notts., gent., at thirty-two years' purchafe 
(£16 ijs. 4^.). The moiety of the money to be paid in hand and 
the reft within fourteen days. The wood and underwood were fold 
the next year to Charles Jackfon and Wm. Mafon, for forty marks. 1 

25ramiep. — Mabilia, the widow of Ote de Tilli, the fenefchal of 
Coningfborough, gave two oxgangs of land with a toft and croft 
here, of her own patrimony, or according to Dodfworth, " her lord- 
fhip of Bramley," but the monks were not to have common of 
pafture for more than a hundred fheep. She alfo confirmed three 
oxgangs in the fame place. 

The monks firft had property here about the year 1 1 90. 

The abbot paid feven-pence rent to Roger Fretwell for land in 
Bramley. 

Mr. Hunter fays, that the grange of the Abbot of Roche here, 
after the difTolution, became the feat of a family of Spencer, who 
acquired much of the property that had been in the hands of the 
religious. 

2&ramtoitfj, — Gervis de Barnby gave the grange here, before the 
year 1 186. 

William, fon of William de Bladefworth, gave and confirmed 

* Particulars for grants. 
^_ . ___= - . . __ —_.$. 



THE POSSESSIONS. 105 



what he had here, and what the monks held of the fee of Allen de 
Hooton in this place. 

In 3 King John, there was a fine between William de Infula 
and Ofmund, Abbot of Roche, tenant of two carucates of land with 
the appurtenances in Bramwith. Verdict to William. And William 
granted to the aforefaid Abbot and his succeffors all the aforefaid 
land with the appurtenances, to hold of him and his heirs at the 
fervice of two marks per annum, fave foreign fervice. 

In 10 Henry III., there was a fine between Adam of Halyhton 
and Jane his wife, Robert, fon of Richard, and Sufanna his wife, 
plaintiffs; and Richard (? Reginald) Abbot of Roche, tenant of one 
bovate of land and half a fishery, with the appurtenances in Bramwith. 

The rents of aflize and cuftomary tenements here were valued 
in 34 Henry VIII. at £3 15X. q\d. 

The manor of Bramwith at the diffolution was granted to 
Richard Turke, citizen of London. 

22>ranclif6c. — This grange was given to the monks before 11 86 
by Leo de Manvers. In 35 Henry III. they had a charter of free 
warren here. 

At the diffolution, the Abbot's land here, which is called " The 
farm of the grange," was valued at £20. In 36 Henry VIII. it 
was granted to William Butler and others. 

In the lane leading from this grange to the Sheffield and Workfop 
road, there is frill a bridge which goes by the name of the " monks' 
bridge." 

25riJ)lington. — The property of the monks feems to have ex- 
tended to this well-known place, which is fituated in the Eaft 
Riding. Odenell, fon of Nicholas d'Aubeney, gave one mark per 
annum out of his mill at Bridlington. There is no mention of this 
gift in the lift of the poffeflions of Roche at the diffolution ; it had 
probably therefore been dilpofed of before that time. 

23rooftf)OU£C. — This place is fituated in the parish of Laughton, 
and appears in the " Valor Ecclefiajiicus" of Henry VIII. as one of 
the places belonging to Roche. 

25room 0ifcfrittjj£. — This place lies about a mile and a half on 
the road from Rotherham to*Roche Abbey. Robert de Herthwic, 
for the good of the foul of Beatrix his wife, gave two acres of land 
here, abutting upon Gofeker, with the meadow lying at the head 
of the faid acres. The monks feem to have difpofed of this property 
before the diffolution. 



H 



«$• 



* 



io6 ROCHE ABBEY. 



25u0tl)OEtte. — This place is fituated in the Eaft Riding, near 
Pocklington. Idonea, wife of Nicholas de Bugthorpe, gave two 
acres of land here. No mention is made of it at the dhTolution. 

y&t&ifymttt see ^atficlix 

CaOiltjjIotD. — This place is near Oneafh grange, and formed 
part of the property which the monks had in Derbyshire at the 
dhTolution. 

From the " Particulars for Grants" we learn that " the farm of 
the grange in the Peak, called Calengelawe, with all lands, meadows, 
paftures, &c, parcel of the pofTeffions of the late monastery of 
Roche, freely refigned, were in 1540 demifed to John Leke, Esq., 
at 40X. per annum." 1 

CamjJ^al. — -The monks had fomething here at the dinolution. 

CarltOlt. — From the "Hundred Rolls" we find the following 
hiftory of the manner in which this place came into the hands of 
the monks. 

The anceftors of the King (4 Edward I.) had one manor in Carlton, 
belonging to the Crown, which was wont to yield £10 per annum, 
of which, King John gave to one Euftachius de Ludham and his 
heirs 30.;. yearly. And King Henry III. gave the refidue of the 
faid rent, to one Algret, the Crofs-bow man by his charter, and 
the faid Algret gave that rent to the Abbot of Roche, who then 
held it, and paid the King 6d. yearly. 

From the fame fource we learn that the Abbot had here 
twenty acres of meadow of the fee of Tickhill. 

Sarah, relicT: of Richard de Bawtry, quitclaimed alt her right in 
one oxgang of land here. 

In 3 1 Henry III., the Abbot of Roche obtained a charter of 
confirmation of liberties and privileges in the manor of Carlton-in- 
Lindric, in Nottinghamfhire, which was fome time the King's 
demefne. 

The monks did not hold this property long, as we find from the 
following charter : — 

■ 

" The King to all whom, &c, greeting. Inafmuch as we have 
learnt by an inquilition which we have caused to be made by Hugo 
de Rodmerchewyet, in the county of Notts., that it is not to the 

a Rolls Houfe. Mifcellaneous, No. 24. 



* 



•4> L — <$• 

THE POSSESSIONS. 107 

injury or prejudice of ourfelf or others if we grant to our beloved 
in Chrift, the Abbot and Convent of Roche, power for them to 
give and grant ten librates* of land and rents with the appurtenances 
in Carlton-in-Lindrik, which the faid Abbot and Convent hold of 
us by the fervice of a pair of gilt fpurs or fixpence per annum for all 
fervice, to our beloved and faithful Richard de Furnevs to have and 
to hold to the faid Richard and his heirs of us and our heirs by the 
fervice aforefaid for ever, we wifhing to do the faid Abbot and Con- 
vent a fpecial favour in this behalf have given licenfe as far as in 
us lies for them to be able to give and grant the aforefaid ten librates 
of land and rents with the appurtenances to the faid Richard, to 
have and to hold to him and his heirs of us and our heirs as afore- 
faid, and to the fame Richard we in like manner grant as a fpecial 
favour by thefe prefents power to receive the faid ten librates of land 
and rents from the aforefaid Abbot and Convent, being unwilling 
that the faid Abbot and Convent or their fucceffors by reafon of the 
donation and grant of the faid ten librates of land and rent, or the 
aforefaid Richard or his heirs by reafon of the reception of the fame 
mould by us or any of our heirs whatever be difturbed, molefted, or 
in any way aggrieved. Tefled at Canterbury the firft day of 
October, i295" b 

€arr. — At the diiTolution the yearly rents of Slade Hooton and 
Carr were valued at £9 8s. id. 

Ca£tfc$f)ato see ftorfjfcaic. 

CattDttft. — William, fon of Gilbert de Catwick gave in 1263 
one eifart of land with a toft in this place. 

Cf)at£iU0ttf$. — Adam de Edinfor gave twenty acres of land upon 
Stanhege, in the territory of Chatsworth in Derbyshire, with pafture 
for two hundred fheep and fixty cattle, forty hogs and fix faddle 
horfes, with their produce of two years of age. 

ConittgS&orotlgtj.— Although many of the benefactors of Roche 
lived here, the monks never feem to have had large pofTemons in 
Coningfborough. 

Robert, fon of Glai, gave the land and wood of this place as far 
as White Well, between the road and the river. The grant was 
confirmed by Pope Urban in 1 186. It was in their hands in 1232, 
but had been difpofed of before the diffolution, at which time, how- 
ever, they paid 2s. 6d. rent for the mill of Coningfborough. 

a A librate of land is, according to Cowel, four oxgangs of fifteen acres each. Bailey fays fifty-two acres. 

b Pat. Rot. 23 Edw. I. M. 5. 

.$. _,£. 



•fr & 

108 ROCHE ABBEY. 

CuOtDortf). — About the middle of the thirteenth century, 
Thomas, fon of Robert, of Eccleffield, quitclaimed to the Abbot 
and Convent of Roche, for ever, all right and claim that ever he 
had in four bovates of land with the appurtenances in Cud worth, 
which Henry of Selefai gave them ; the Abbot for the quitclaim 
paying two marks of filver. The monks had no property here at 
the difTolution. 

Cltmlicrtuortlf}. — From the following charter we find that the 
monks had property here at a very early period : — 

Cfjartcr of i©iHiam «£arl JBarrm 

" To all the faithful in Chrifl whom this prefent charter may 
come, William Earl Warren, greeting in the Lord. Know that I 
have granted, and by this my prefent charter confirmed to God and 
the BlefTed Mary and the monks of the Rock, for the welfare of 
my soul and thofe of my anceftors, all the land of "Cumbrewode," 
with the melfuages and all the appurtenances which Matthew de 
Shepley gave and confirmed to them by his charters, to hold in 
perpetual alms according to the tenor of the charter of Matthew. 
Thefe being witneffes : William fon of William, Malveifin de 
Herfy, Richard de Memers, Baldwin de Herfy, Robert de Brettvile, 
Ralph de Ecclefhale, John de Wakling, clerk ; John Wakefield, 
clerk; Reginald Coc." a 

The property which the monks had in this place is now called 
Upper Cumberworth Half. 

SDccpcar, — This place, with Rawmarfh, Abdy, and Haugh, was 
valued at the difTolution at 33J. gd. 

2Den£|jatD see ftodjoalc. 

£Doma£tcx. — The two following charters give a difKnct account 
of the property of the monks in this town : — 

Charter of JMiiam Oc ISo££ington, 

" KNO WE YE that I, William, fon of Wulfagh, of Roffington, 
have granted and given, and by this my charter confirmed to God, 
the BlefTed Mary, and the Monks of Roche, for the welfare of my 
foul and that of Leuufa, my wife, my toft in Doncafter, with the 
appurtenances in which I abode, which I held of Ralph, fon of 
William Albus, near the church of St. George, to have and to 

» Morehoufe's Hiftory of Kirkburton. 
♦fr ___ # 



■$• —4 

THE POSSESSIONS. 109 

hold for ever, freely and quietly. Paying thrice yearly to the faid 
Ralph, fon of William Albus, and his heirs, two millings for all 
fervice and demand, at the four ftated terms (of the year) in Don- 
cafter. Moreover, I have granted and given to the faid monks that 
land which I held of Walter, fon of Leon, to have and to hold for 
ever, freely and quietly, paying thrice yearly to the faid Walter or 
his affigns four-pence for all fervice and demand, at the four ftatute 
terms in Doncafter. Moreover, I have granted and given to the faid 
monks four-pence in my lifetime, yearly, to be paid at the four 
ftatute terms in Doncafter. Witneffes: Jeremiah de Roffington, 
William, his brother, Hugh de Langethwait, Peter de Waddeworth, 
Reginald, the bailiff, Henry de Marfh, John, fon of Eudo de Bruntot." 

Charter of 3Umatttft dc Brampton. 

" KNOW &c, that I, Amabill, daughter of Robert de Brampton, 
formerly wife of Roger, fon of William Strie, in my widowhood and 
free power have granted and quitclaimed of me and my heirs for 
ever to Michael de Brampton, my brother, and his heirs, to give and 
affign to whomfoever and at whatever time he may pleafe, all the 
right and claim which I had or might have had under the name of 
dowry, or in any manner or occafion, in all that land with the 
buildings and the appurtenances in the town of Doncafter, which 
William de Warmfworth, chaplain, conferred upon the Abbot and 
Convent of Roche, to wit, that which lies between the land which 
Gena de Caftello held, and the lane which extends from Francis 
ftreet towards the Church of St. George, in length and breadth, as 
William Albus, my grandfather, held it, without any refervation. 
In fuch manner, to wit, as that neither I nor any of my heirs fhall 
be able henceforth to place or require any right, or claim, or 
challenge in the faid land, nor in the buildings, nor in the appur- 
tenances ; and that this my grant and quitclaim may remain ratified 
and firm, I have confirmed this prefent charter with my feal. 
Witneffes : Peter de Waddeworth, Reginald de Ketelbergh, Peter de 
Rofington, Richard, fon of Hugh, Adam de Scawfby, John Bruntat, (?) 
Robert, his brother, Reginald, the tailor, Reginald, fon of Reginald, 
and others." 11 

The Abbot of Roche had property here at the diftblution, at 
which time they paid elevenpence three farthings rent to the provoft 
of the Lord the King of Coningfborough, iffuing from the land in 
Doncafter with its members. 



For thefe charters I am indebted to Dr. Sykes, of Doncaster, who poflefles the originals. 



«$•- 



-+ 



no ROCHE ABBEY. 



William de Warmfworth, chaplain of this place, alfo gave the 
monks a piece of land with certain buildings here. 

SPltn^croft. — The Abbot of Roche erected a grange here for the 
management of his poffeffions at Hatfield, from which place it is 
about half a mile diftant. 

The " Monajiicon Anglicanum" gives Dunfcroft as a Cell to 
Roche Abbey, and refers to a feal publifhed by Edward Rowe 
Mores, Efq., as the feal of the Cell. 

Mr. Hunter fays, the legend of this feal is not Dunfcroft, and 
that no Cell ever exifted here." 

Pope Alexander IV. granted permiflion in 1263, to the Abbot 
of Roche, to celebrate facred offices in his granges, &c. ; but there 
feems no reafon to believe that Dunfcroft grange ever held a higher 
pofition than any other of the abbey granges. b 

Ciiticlfjtfjorpc. — This place, which adjoined the abbey grounds, 
was given to the monks foon after the foundation, by Richard de 
Bufli, the fon of the Founder. 

<g£fo}C#. — Walter, fon of John de Wolvethwait, gave all his land 
here. This place is called Ehus by Dr. Burton. From a charter 
before me, it appears that the property of the monks at Ewes, 
called Holtheng, was given at the diffolution to Robert Thornhill, 
of Walkeringham, and Hugo his brother, who in 1547 granted it 
to John Sanderfon, 

4£ltttlt£e, — In 1 248, the Abbot of Roche gave the King Henry 
III. five marks for having feizen of the mill of Ernufe in the county 
of Nottingham. 11 

f artoortl) see ^artoort*}, 

a South Yorkshire, vol. i. page 187. 

Through the kindnefs of Dr. Hunter I have learnt that the opinion of the venerable hiftorian of South York- 
shire refpefting this queftion remained unaltered. In anfwer to my inquiries he wrote: — "I had been long 
fufpicious that there was fome miftake about Dunkroft, when I met with Rowe Mores' engraving of the feal. 
The legend is imperfeft, but there is enough to fliew that the name of the place is not Dunfcroft, to which he 
erroneoufly, as I believe, afcribed it. 

If there had been really any Cell there, I muft have met with fomething more decifive than the report of the 
Antiquarian of the time of Torr, — fome deed or document of the time when it was in exiftence, or at leaft, fome 
mention of it in luch Surveys as the " Valor" of King Henry VIII. 

I have feen nothing to diftruft the opinion expreffed in the S. Y. that it was the grange at which refided the 
perfon who attended to the interest of the monastery at Armthorpe, and in the Level, a fuperior one, as the officer 
was probably a perfon of a fuperior clafs to the ordinary grangiarii. 

I fliould not have expreffed myfelf fo strongly had I had the least doubt about the misreading of the legend on the 
seal." — M.S. letter, April 13th, i860. 

b See page 31. c See page 9. 

d I can find no place of this name. My information is derived from the " Abbreviatio Rotulorum Originalium." 



# 



-+ 



THE POSSESSIONS. in 



jrirbcch. — Walter, fon and heir of John de Wolvethwaite, gave 
an annuity of fixpence out of a toft in this place. The monks had 
property here at the diifolution. 

jfisljfafcc, — William, Earl of Warren, gave the tithe of the eels 
caught in his fifheries at this place. a 

jflijtfliirgtj. — William, fon of Henry de Arcy gave the monks a 
fufficient carriage road between North and South Stather, near the 
bank of the Trent, in Lincolnshire, with a convenient place at 
which to load and unload mips or veffels in this place. 

In the furvey of the lands of Roche after the diffolution, the 
meadow in Flixburgh is valued at ios. per annum. 

<£5iItinigfcBCliSu — In this place which is fituated in the pariih of 
Laughton, the monks pofTefTed fomething at the diffolution. 

<23oDCtric-£Sioing. — This property lay between Wadworth and 
Wellingly, and was the gift of John de Chaworth. It is defcribed 
by Dr. Burton as "all his demefne in this part." William Chaworth, 
mentioned in the following charter, was one of the lords of Wad- 
worth in 1236. 

Cfjartct of IBiUiam tre <£f}atDortfj, 

" To all the fons of Holy Mother Church prefent and future, 
William de Chaworth greeting. Know all of you that I have 
given, granted, and by this my charter confirmed to God and St. 
Mary and the Monks of Roche, for the welfare of my foul and that 
of my father and mother, and for the welfare of the foul of John 
my brother, and my heirs and all my relations, all that part which I 
had in my domain in ' Godrikeriding.' To wit, the land at Weft, 
which the aforefaid John gave to them, and I in like manner have 
given to the faid monks all the brufh which lies between the land 
of Eudo (de Wadworth) and the brook which runs toward the 
grange of Wellingly in pure and perpetual alms, free and quit from 
all fervice and from all which belongs to the land. And I and my 
heirs will warrant to the aforefaid monks the aforenamed land and 
brum, and quit it againft all men. Witneffes : Ralph, prieft of 
Wadworth, Henry de Chaworth, Robert, fon of Payn, Robert, fon 
of Gebod, William, fon of Eudo, Godfrey de Wadworth, Robert, 
fon of William/* 

a See page a8. 
b Dodfworth's M.S , vol. VIII. fol. 319 B. 

"*$•- — «$• 



112 ROCHE ABBEY. 



Ij^artDortt). — The monks had property in this place as early as 
the end of the twelfth century. It is fituated in the North-weft 
corner of Nottinghamfhire, about two miles Eaft of Tickhill. Its 
old name was Farwath. 

Gamellus de Harworth gave one oxgang of land here which he 
held of the fee of Robert, fon of Ralph de Styrrup. 

Robert de Styrrup gave one toft at the weft end of the town of 
Harworth, with one acre of land near it, and pafture for a hundred 
and twenty fheep. 

This property had gone out of the hands of the monks before 
the diffolution. 

ij^atft'dti. — William, Earl of Warren, gave the tithe of his eels 
here after the monks of Lewis had taken their tithe. a 

John, Earl of Warren, " Beholding the fcarcity of fruits, rents, 
and poffeflions generally pertaining to the religious men, the Abbot 
and Convent of Roche, in the diocefe of York, and to their mon- 
aftery, and admiring the magnificence of the fione work as well in the 
buildings of the faid Abbot and Convent as in their monajlery ; b alfo, 
nobly grieving for the paucity of monks ferving God there, gave 
for the fupport of thirteen additional monks the advowfon of the 
Church of Hatfield, then valued at feventy marks per annum." In 
1345, King Edward III. granted licenfe to the Earl to effect this 
gift. 

£opai Chatter* 

" The King to all whom, &c, greeting. Know that inafmuch 
as our beloved coufin and liege, John de Warenn, Earl of Surrey, 
holds the manor of Haytfield with the appurtenances for his whole 
life, by the gift and grant of Lord Edward, lately King of England, 
our father, in fuch a manner that after the death of the faid earl the 
faid manor with the appurtenances, with remainder to Matilda de 
Feyrford for the term of her life, and after the death of the faid 
Matilda, to John de Warenn, fon of the faid Matilda, and the heirs 
male of his body iffuing, and after the difceafe of the faid John, if 
he die without heir male of his body iffuing, to Thomas, brother of 
the faid John and the heirs male of his body iffuing, and after the 
difceafe of the faid Thomas, if he die without heir male of his body 
iffuing, to the heirs of the body of the faid earl iffuing, and if the 
faid earl die without heir of his body iffuing, then the faid manor, 

1 See page 28. 
b This fentence in italics has been omitted in the charter which is printed at page 51. 

^j._ ^5. 



THE POSSESSIONS. 113 

with the appurtenances, to revert entirely to our faid father and his 
heirs, as in the letters patent of our faid father, thereupon executed 
more fully is contained ; and now the faid earl has befought us that 
(inafmuch as the faid Matilda is dead, and the aforefaid John, fon of 
Matilda, and Thomas have taken the habit of religion in the order 
of the brothers of the Hofpital of John of Jerufalem, in England, 
at Clerkenwell, and in the faid order are profeffed,) we will grant to 
the faid earl power to give and grant the advowfon belonging to the 
Church of Haytfeld, which he holds from us in chief, as it is faid, 
which faid church is worth feventy marks per annum, to our beloved 
in Chrift the Abbot and Convent of Roche, to poffefs to them and 
their fucceffors for the whole life of the faid earl, we yielding 
gracioufly to the requeft of the faid earl, have granted and given 
licenfe for us and our heirs, as far as in us lies, to the faid earl that 
he may give and grant to the Abbot and Convent to have and to 
hold to themfelves and fucceffors from us and our heirs for the term 
of the life of the faid earl, and to the faid Abbot and Convent by 
the tenor of thefe prefents we, in like manner, have given fpecial 
licenfe to receive the faid advowfon from the faid earl, and to hold 
to them and their fucceffors in form aforefaid, the ftatute enacted 
about not placing land and tenements in mortmain notwithstanding. 
We will, moreover, and of our more abundant grace, grant for us 
and our heirs to the faid Abbot and Convent that they may have 
and hold the faid advowfon (which ought from the caufes aforefaid 
to revert to us and our heirs after the death of the faid earl) to them 
and their fucceffors from us and our heirs in pure and perpetual alms 
for ever, and that they may have power to appropriate the faid 
church after the faid gift and grant of the advowfon aforefaid by 
the faid earl to them made, when they fee expedient, and may hold 
it thus appropriated to their own ufes to them and their fucceffors 
for finding thirteen monks chaplains to celebrate for ever divine 
offices in the Abbey of Roche for us, Philippa Queen of England, 
our Confort, and our deareft children, and for the faid earl, alfo for 
the foul of William our fon, who nuper humanitus contigit in the 
faid manor, and for the fouls of our progenitors and thofe of the 
faid earl and all the faithful defuncl: : the ftatute aforefaid or any 
right which might belong to us after the death of the faid earl, if 
he die without heir from his body iffuing, or by reafon of the pro- 
feffion of the faid John, fon of Matilda, and Thomas in the afore- 
faid order while they are living, or after their death, without heirs 
male of their bodies, notwithstanding ; wifhing that neither the faid 
earl nor the faid Abbot and Convent, nor the fucceffors of the faid 

•$. * 

»5 



«$•- 



ii 4 ROCHE ABBEY. 



Abbot and Convent, by reafon of the premifes or ftatute aforefaid, or 
becaufe the faid advowfon ought to revert to us and our heirs (as 
parcel of the manor aforefaid which is held of us in chief, as is 
faid) together with the faid manor after the death of the faid earl in 
form aforefaid, or from any other caufes whatever, be by us or our 
heirs, juftices, efcheators, fheriffs, or other our bailiffs, or fervants 
whatever, hindered, molefted, or in any way aggrieved. Witnefs, 
the King at Weftminfter, November 22nd, 1345." 

The appropriation was effected by William la Zouch, Archbifhop 
of York, he referving certain rights." 

In 1 348, three years after they had obtained this important gift, 
the Abbot and Convent of Roche, parfons of the Church of Hat- 
field, fet forth in petition to parliament that they ought to have each 
year an oak in the park or woods of Hatfield ; and inftead of tithe 
of herbage, fixty large beads running in the park or wood through- 
out the year. And alfo inftead of tithe of pannage, to have all 
their pigs which are fed in the parfonage, running in the fame woods 
without paying anything for pannage ; and further for the tithe of 
the fifhery of Brathmere and Neuflet, a bynde b of eels every year to 
be taken as the right of the Church of Hatfield. The Earl of 
Warren being dead, and the manor in the hands of Queen Philippa, 
they prayed that certain impediments might be removed. They were 
referred to the chancellor, who was to call all parties together and 
to do juftice amongft them. 

In 1355, on the day of Pentecofl, an indenture was made 
between the Abbot and Convent of Roche, on the one part, and 
Thomas Rillington, John Fitz Peter, Thomas Margens, Alan del 
Cotes, John, his brother, John del Parkes, John Fitz Peter de 
Stainford, parifhioners of the Church of Hatfield, on the other 
part, that the faid Abbot of Roche, having the Church of Hatfield 
appropriated, granted and permitted that the faid parifhioners, and 
other the inhabitants of the town of Stainford, might, by the 
archbifhop's licenfe, maintain at their own coff. a chaplain to 
celebrate divine fervice in the chapel of Stainford, newly builded, 
for the fpace of three years daily, excepting on Sundays and other 
great fefiivals, whereon they were to repair to the parifh church of 
Hatfield. This agreement was confirmed by the archbifhop's vicar- 
general on the 17th November, 1535. 



a See page 52. 
b A Bind of Eels according to Kennett, confifted of two hundred and fifty. 

•fc # 



THE POSSESSIONS. 115 

In 1535, the profits of the rectory received by the Abbot 
were as follows : — 

£ s. D. 

Manfion there (the Vicarage) o 8 8 

Glebe 1134 

Clofe and Paflure o 50 

Tithe of herbage of the park with pafture for 24 beafts o 18 o 

Tithe of pannage of hogs there o 10 

Tithe of wood, viz., one fuel tree to be delivered by) 

the bailiff J ° r ° 

Tithe of grain at Hatfield 8 00 

Tithe of grain at Thorne .... .... 7 00 

Tithe of grain at Stainford 5 00 

Tithe of hay 1100 

Wool and lamb 2 00 

Oblations 2 00 

Minute and privy tithes 12 00 

Mortuaries o 68 

Tithe of eels of Brathmere .0110 



Reprisals. 

£ s. D. 

To the Vicar .... 15 o o 

To the Archbifhop . . 710 4 

To the King's bailiff . . o 7 9 



£41 H 8 



22 18 1 



Clear yearly value . . . . £18 16 7 

At the diffolution the intereft which the monks had in this 
place again reverted to the crown. 

I^attgf)* — The monks had property at Haugh, near Rawmarfh, 
at the diffolution. 

I^eHa&p. — Mauger, fon of Roger de Stokes, confirmed the grant 
of fix oxgangs of land here made by Geffery Fitz Payne, of Newerth. 
The property here and at Bramley was valued at the diffolution at 
£9 1 8 s. U. 

^esicp. — This place is fituated near Roffington, in the county of 
Nottingham. The monks owned property here at the diffolution. 

•$• — 4- 



116 ROCHE ABBEY. 

J)c£ttocU. — The monks had property here, the gift of William 
the Fleming, which was confirmed by Pope Urban III. in n86. a 

pH&rigtf)0rj>c see ftocfj&alc— 

j^oImc.—Peter de Roflington gave the monks a wood here, 
now called " Holmes Carr Wood." 

J^olmc see €f)itrn£coe. — 

^OOtOtt^XctoCt.— In 1 249, Manfelyn, of Doncafter, Manfelyn, of 
Brodfworth, and Elias, fon-in-law of the faid Manfelyn, releafed to 
the Abbot and Convent of Roche all lands, rents, and tenements 
which they had of Hamond de Levet, in the territory of Hotton- 
Levet, from the beginning of the world to the world's end. For 
better fecurity they had put to their Hebrew letter with their feal. 
This feems to have been an interference on the part of the monaftery 
between Hamond de Levet and the Jew money lenders, fimilar to 
that mentioned in page 13. 

Hamond, fon of William Levet, gave one oxgang of land, with 
a toft and croft in this place. 

Richard, fon of William Levet, gave half of the mill here, with 
the pool and free water courfe from Maltby mill to the Monk's 
mill, with the fuit of the faid moiety, referving a right to himfelf, 
his heirs and afiigns, to grind all their corn that mail grow upon 
four oxgangs in this territory, at a multure of the fixteenth bowl. 

Jordan, fon of Jordan de Infula, and Elizabeth his wife, gave all 
their land at Hooton-Levet. 

Adam, fon of Simon de la Roche, and Joan his wife, daughter 
of Robert de Wickerfly, gave one oxgang of land here, with a toft 
and croft, which gift Sir Robert de Wickerfley, knight, confirmed. 

Henry de Lacy granted and confirmed the donation which 
Richard de Wickerfley, and Roger and Jordan Hooton, made to 
the monks of Roche of common pafture of all the territory of 
Hooton. 

The property here was valued at the diffolution at £4 1 ys. 2d. 
per annum. 

^OOtO!t-JSSoIJCrt£. — The monks had a farm at this place which 
was valued at the diffolution at is. per annum. (See Slade Hooton.) 

^ope. — (Derbyshire.) — The monks poffeffed fomething here at 
the diffolution. 

m See page 16. 
•$• : 



«^S» ■ •$. 

THE POSSESSIONS. n 7 

%fyt\\$. — It is not known from whom the monks derived this 
property. It is defcribed in 1552 as "a close called Ichells, lying 
near the dyke leading from Haugh to Went worth on the ealt, in 
the tenure of Thomas Wentworthe, Esq., at the will of the Lord 
the King from year to year, paying at the terms of St. Martin in 
winter and Pentecoft equally nine millings per annum." It was at 
this time granted to Admiral Lord Clinton." 

5icMc£* — The Monks had two mills in Ickles, near Rotherham. 
(See Templebrrough.J 

SlngfoircfytDOrti), — From the following interesting charter we find 
that the monks had property here at an early date :— 

Cfjartcc of $)cnrp De £$rffcp. 

" Know all men, prefent and future, that I, Henry de Shelley, fon 
of Robert, have given, granted, and by this my charter confirmed 
for the welfare of my foul and of all my aneeftors and heirs, to the 
Abbot and Monks of St. Mary of Roche, the homage and fervice 
of John, fon of Robert del Der (Car) which he owed to me and to 
my heirs or affigns for two bovates of land with the appurtenances 
in Bircheworth, and the homage and fervice of John, fon of Adam, 
which he owed to me and by my heirs and affigns for one bovate of 
land with the appurtenances in the fame vill, and two bovates of 
land with the appurtenances which Richard and Joan held of me in 
the fame vill, and the faid Richard and Joan with all their progeny, 
and the faid Robert and Adam with all their progeny, and one bovate 
of land with the appurtenances which Gilbert, the chaplain, held of 
me in the fame vill, which is called Wetelay, to have and to hold in 
perpetual alms, free and quiet from all fervice to me and to my heirs 
belonging, fave foreign fervice, as far as pertains to one carucate of 
land, nine carucates of which make one knight's fee. And I and 
my heirs will warrant all the aforefaid land with the appurtenances 
to the aforefaid Abbot and Monks of Roche for ever againft all men. 
Thefe being witneffes : Dom. Henry, parfon of Rothell ; Hugh de 
Urnethorp, then Steward of Pontefract ; Robert de Stapleton, Henry 
Walent, Robert fon of Adam ;) Thomas de Littel, Alan, fon of 
Robert de Smeaton ; Robert, fon of Gilbert ; Simon, fon of * * * 
Alan, son of Alan." b 

3!nn£cf)p. — Simon Fitz Simon, gave land in this place, which 
Pope Urban III. confirmed. 

a Particulars for Grants 6 Ed. VI- sect. 6. h Morehoufe's Hiftory of Kirkburton. 



n8 ROCHE ABBET. 

$tilnf)lir£t .— In 1385, the Abbot and Convent of Roche granted 
in fee to John Montforth, of Kilnhurft, one meffuage, four acres of 
meadow and fix acres of land in the town and territory of Kilnhurft, 
four acres of which lie near the wood of Rawmarfh, on the eaft fide, 
ftretching north and fouth ; one acre abutting on Walkerfall, and one 
acre abutting on the town of Kilnhurft, all which they had of the 
gift of Roger de Kilnhurft : and that * * * which extends itfelf 
to the north field of his toft aforefaid. Also one half acre of mea- 
dow which they had of the gift of Thomas de Kilnhurft, referving 
therefrom thirteen millings and four pence rent, and a double 
payment from every tenant at his firft entry, which if not paid 
within forty days, mould give the Abbot the right to re-enter and 
feize upon the tenements again. 

The earlieft common fealofthe Abbey is appended to the deed 
from which the above information is obtained. See plate x., fig. 3. 

The profits of this place together with thofe of Ickles and 
Hooton-Roberts, were at the diflblution £1 ys. 8d. 

fiibetoru — No remains of " the Chapel of the Holy Trinity of 
Kyveton," mentioned in the following charter, are now to be found. 

3£opaI Charter. 

" The King, to all to whom, &c, greeting. Know that, inas- 
much as Lord Edward, lately King of England, our grandfather, by 
his letters patent granted and gave licenfe for himfelf and his heirs 
to John de Kyveton, parfon of the Church of Radeclyf-on-Trent, 
to give and affign one meffuage, thirty-fix acres of land, three acres 
of meadow, and twenty-four fhillings worth of rent, with the 
appurtenances in Blithe and Torworth, to the Abbot and Convent 
of Roche, to have and to hold to them and their fucceffors for find- 
ing a certain fecular chaplain to celebrate divine offices for the foul 
of the faid John and the fouls of his father, mother, and his ances- 
tors and all the faithful departed, in the Chapel of the Holy Trinity 
of Kyveton every day, and alfo the fame our grandfather granted 
and gave licenfe for himfelf and his heirs to the aforefaid Abbot and 
Convent to give and grant to the aforefaid John for the tenements 
aforefaid a certain corrody, to be received from the faid Abbey to 
him and his heirs for the fuftenance of the faid chaplain and his 
fucceffors for ever, and to the faid John having received the faid 
corrody and being feized thereof, to give and affign the faid corrody 
to the faid chaplain to have for himfelf and his fucceffors who were 
to celebrate in the faid chapel as aforefaid for their fuftenance for 

<$• ■ 



THE POSSESSIONS. 119 



ever, as in the letters patent of our grandfather aforefaid, thereupon 
made more fully is contained ; and the aforefaid John did afterwards 
alfo give and affign, according to the force and effect of the licenfe 
of the King aforefaid, as we have learnt, to the aforefaid Abbot and 
Convent and their fucceffors, the faid meffuage, land, meadow, and 
rent, with the appurtenances, and to the aforefaid chaplain and his 
fucceffors the corrody which he obtained by the gift and grant of 
the aforefaid Abbot and Convent and their fucceffors. We now, at 
the requeft both of our beloved in Chrifl the prefent Abbot and 
Convent of Roche, who hold the meffuage, land, meadow, and rent 
aforefaid, and of the prefent chaplain of the chapel aforefaid, who 
receives the faid corrody from the Abbey aforefaid, and for two 
marks which the faid Abbot and Convent have paid to us, have granted 
and given licenfe for us and our heirs, as far as in us lies, to the faid 
Abbot and Convent to give and affign the meffuage, land, meadow, 
and rent aforefaid with the appurtenances to the faid prefent chap- 
lain, to have and to hold for himfelf and his fucceffors in exchange 
for the corrody aforefaid being given, affigned, furrendered, and 
releafed for ever to the faid Abbot and Convent and their fucceffors 
by the faid chaplain, and to the fame chaplain both to receive the 
faid meffuages, land, meadow, and rent with the appurtenances to 
hold to himself and his fucceffors for ever from the faid Abbot and 
Convent, and to give, affign, furrender, and releafe the faid corrody 
to the faid Abbot and Convent and their fucceffors in exchange afore- 
faid for ever ; by the tenour of thefe prefents we have in like manner 
given fpecial licenfe, the ftatute paffed about not putting lands and 
tenements into mortmain notwithstanding, willing that neither the 
faid Abbot and Convent or their fucceffors, nor the faid chaplain or 
his fucceffors, by reafon of the ftatute aforefaid, therein be hindered 
or in any way aggrieved by us or our heirs or fervants, fave how- 
ever the fervices due and accuftomed from the faid meffuage, land, 
meadow, and rent. Witness, the King, at Weftminfter, July 8th, 
1 40 1." 

Hamfccote Grange* — This place is fituated in the parifh of 
Stainton. Its original name was Lambcroft, as it is fo written in 
the Confirmation of Pope Urban III. in 1 186, from which document 
we alfo learn that it was given the monks by Richard de Bulli and 
Hugh de Drigwrt. 

In 1563 " Lamcottes," which had formerly been in the tenure 
of Robert and Agnes Hewet, was let by indenture under the 
common feal of the late monaflery of Roche to John Wilkynfon, 



•$• 



* 



i2o ROCHE ABBET. 



at 60s. per annum at the terms of St. Martin in the Winter and 
Pentecoft equally. It was at this time granted by the crown to 
Charles Jackfon." 

3taugf)ton. — Nicholas, the Clerk of this place, gave a toft lying 
on the fouth fide of St. John's Church, with fix acres of land, now 
called Throapham, and which the monks held at the dhTolution. 

In the time of Abbot Ofmund, Cardinal Stephen gave the 
monks the prebend of Laughton. 

From the " Hundred Rolls" we learn that the Abbot of Roche 
held thirty bovates of land in the barony of Laughton in 1 276. 

In 1558 the porTeffions in this place, lately belonging to the 
monastery of Roche, were on the 20th of October rated to Thomas 
Stephenfon. 

Hincolm — In 1 275 the Abbot of Roche held a manfion in this 
city, which was then valued at 1 os. per annum. At the dhTolution 
its annual value was only 4^. 

SLiniltttft. — King Henry II. gave one hundred acres in Lindrick 
near the abbey, now called King's Wood. Many have thought 
from the name Lindrick that this property muft have been in 
Nottinghammire, but erroneoufly, for Lindrick, near Tickhill, and 
Lindrick Common, Lindrick Dale, and Lindrick Brook, near South 
Anfton, are all in Yorkshire. 

Alice, Countefs of Eu, confirmed to the monks the wood of 
Lindrick in \2i(). h 

At the dissolution the annual falls of wood and underwood were 
valued communibus annis at 40^. 

Hotocr^ali. — Reginald Gurvy quitclaimed to the monks the mill 
in this place. 

About the middle of the thirteenth century the monks of Roche 
gave what they had here, at Wadworth and at Alverley, to Robert 
de Ripariis, in exchange for his lands at Slade Hooton, two pieces of 
meadow in Walkeringham, and £100 in money. 

Slttmljp. — The monks had land, &c, in this place, which they 
demifed to Richard Burton, Efq., and Catherine his wife, on the 
20th of October, 20 Henry VI. (1441.) 

!3t9aftfip. — Befides what Richard de Bufli (one of the founders) 
gave, c Alan, the parfon of Maltby, gave his right of common in two 

a Particulars for grants. 
b See page 17. c See page 4. 

,$. .#. 



•$•" 



THE POSSESSIONS. 121 



acres of land lying in Summer-road, in this territory. The ruins 
of the Abbey ftand upon the fouthern border of this parim. (See 
Roche.J 

S^arr. — Jordan, fon of Philip de Marr, gave all his wood in this 
place with four tofts, two oxgangs of land and the fourth part of an 
oxgang in this town and fields. By a charter dated at Woodhall, 
on the vigil of St. Nicholas, 1253, Thomas Fitz William confirmed 
to the monks all lands in Marr, of his fee, which they had of the 
gift of Jordan, fon of Philip de Marr, and his anceftors. 

John, fon of Jordan de Marr, gave to the monks of Roche nine 
acres of land here with their capital mefiuage in the town, and 
homage and fervice of free men, rendering ten millings annually 
and fcutage. This was alfo confirmed by Thomas Fitz William in 
a charter dated at Sprotborough, Nonas Martii, 1260. 

Richard, fon of Hugh de Langethwaite, gave an annuity of fix 
millings out of a toft, and twelve acres of land in this place. 

In " Kirbys Inquejl" the Abbot of Roche is faid to have held 
eleven bovates of the fee of Thomas Fitz William, who held the 
CaftleofTickhill. 

The porTeflions at Marr and Bilham were valued at the difiblu- 
tion at £$ iSs. 6d. 

Marr Grange was granted in 1544 to John Bere. 

a^itWcbring. — Eugenia, relict of Gilbert de Micklebring, with 
the confent of Peter de Rhodes, his lord, gave four acres in this 
place. 

St^Mtfc 25rctton. — In 1285 the Abbot and Convent of Roche 
fold their claim to the manor and advowfon of the Church of 
Monk Bretton to the Prior and Convent of this place for 2oj-. 
fterling. 

&£onpa£t). — John, fon of Matthew de Efton, for the fupport of 
a light at the high altar, gave the multure 8 of twelve oxgangs of land 
in Monyafh, Derbyfhire, the tenants of which were to grind at the 
mills of the Monk's Grange, at Oneam, paying the twentieth bowl. 

St^orlcp. — This place is fituated near Greafborough. William 
Bacon with his corpfe gave nine acres of land here. The Prior of 
Noftel held four bovates of land in Morley. 

* The toll or fee which a miller takes for grinding corn. 



4$? — -<$• 

16 



•#• ' *$• 

122 ROCHE ABBEY. 

Cfjattet of Wfm OMtet + 

" Know, &c, that we, Walter Abbot and the Convent of 
Roche, have granted and by our present charter have confirmed to 
Lord Thomas de Bellew and his heirs or affigns all the fervice 
which Robert Barker, of Swinton, and his heirs have been accus- 
tomed to do for us for the land of Morley, with all things that can 
accrue to us from the faid land for ever, at an annual rent therefrom 
to us and our fucceffors of fixteen pence at Pentecoft, and to the 
House of St. Ofwald in our name eight pence at the feaft of St. 
Martin in the Winter for the faid land of Morley. And we and 
our fucceffors will warrant to the faid Thomas and his heirs or 
affigns all the aforefaid fervice with all its appurtenances, fo long as 
our donors (hall have warranted it to us. Witnefs, the Lords Ralph 
de Horbiry, Ralph de Normanville, John de Staynton, knights ; 
Ralph Haket, Robert Brinton, Roger de Bergh, James de Lyvet, 
Richard his brother, Raynder de Swinton, William de Roche, 
William de Swinton." 

l^eiBfjaH* — On November 28th, 1552, the farm of one clofe 
lying in Newhall, containing fix acres of paflure, in the occupation 
of Joane Coufen, widow, by indenture, as it is faid, for a term of 
years, yielding therefrom at the feafts of Pentecoft and St. Martin 
in the Winter equally per annum 1 y. 4^., and lately in the pofTes- 
fion of the monafteries of Roche, was granted for divers confidera- 
tions to the Right Honourable Lord Clinton, High Admiral of 
England." 

J^etolanD,— This bill made the 20th of September in the 37th 
year of Henry VIII. witnerTeth that we John Bellewe, Esq., and 
John Bloxolme, gent., have paid to Sir John Williams, knight, 
treafurer of the Augmentation of the Revenues of the King's 
Crown, the fum of * * * due to the King for the gift, grant, 
and clear purchafe of " one manlion or tenemente in the parifhe of 
St. Stephen in Newland, late parcell of Roche, togither with all and 
fingular the woodes and underwode growinge in and upon the 
premifes." b 

|£etO£omc. — -Robert de Scalcebi, Adam de Newmarch, and 
Roger de Marr gave the monks the grange at this place. The two 
firft of thefe were witnefTes to the Foundation Charter of the Abbey. 

I^Ottingljattl. — Philip de Oldcotes gave the monks a toft in this 
town and the fervice of another toft. 

" Particulars for Grants. Sect. 8. b Monafticon Ang. Appendix, p. 1643. 

4 _ _____ 4. 



♦$• .$. 

THE POSSESSIONS. 123 

<01bcotc£. — This place is fituated in Nottinghamfhire, about two 
miles from the Abbey. The monks had property here in the time 
of King Richard I. 

<01tca£ij. — (Derbyfliire.) — The grange at this place was given to 
the monks soon after the foundation of the Abbey by William 
Avenal, Lord of Haddon. 

Richard de Vernun, with the confent of Avice, his wife, and of 
William his fon and heir, confirmed all the land and pafture of his 
fee in this place, which William Avenal gave ; and William BafTett, 
grandfon of William Avenal, confirmed the fame. 

Richard, fon of William de Verum, confirmed the above, and 
alfo what the monks had in Sterndale, with the minerals, they 
paying to him and his heirs i|/, per annum, at his manor of 
Haddon. He alfo confirmed the tenement here which William 
Avenal gave. Pope Urban III. alfo confirmed what the monks 
held here. 

William, Earl of Ferrars, with the confent of Agnes his wife, 
before 1229 confirmed to the monks that way for their fheep and 
cattle going from their grange here, over the moor of Hartington 
and Heathcote, which William his father had granted to them, with 
fome meadow ; they paying to him one mark per annum. 

We learn from the Taxation of Pope Nicholas, about 1291, 
that the poffeffions of the monks here, confirming of four bovates of 
land, a mill, mines, &c, were valued at £8 8s. Sd. per annum. 

We learn from the following document that at the time of the 
diffolution this grange was let to Thomas Sheldon. 

" In the 32nd year of the reign of the moft excellent Prince 
Henry VIII. the farm of the grange of Oneafh, parcel of the 
poffemons of the late monaftery of Roche, freely refigned, with all 
lands, meadows, feedings, pastures, moors, &c, from old time 
belonging, is thus demifed to Edw. Berefford, of the County of 
Derby, gent., by indenture under the common feal of the late 
monaftery at 1 1 3^. \d. per annum, to be paid at the terms of St. 
Martin and Pentecoft equally, viz., for the farm of the faid grange 
£4. 6s. Sd., and for tithes thereto belonging 26s. Sd., befides 6/. 
paid to the cathedral church of Lichfield for an ancient penfion for 
tithes of all kind of the faid grange ; alfo 30.r. paid to the manor of 
Haddon always at the feafh of St. Martin in the Winter yearly, until 
it mall be adjudged by law that half the fum ought to fuffice ; alfo 
1 3J. \d. for having common of pafture in the moor of Middleton. 
And that the faid farmer at the end of the term aforefaid or when- 

•$• fy 



-•$» 



124 ROCHE ABBEY. 



ever he fhall quit it mail leave four fextaries and twenty-four 
quarters of good and well cleaned oats behind him for the ufe of 
the aforefaid lord the King and his fucceffors. Now on the fame 
terms in the tenure of Thomas Sheldon." 

<tPu£ttO]}. — William, fon of William de Bladfworth, confirmed 
all the fifhery in this place. 

4Dbet#te. — William, fon of John de Vavafor, quitclaimed all his 
right in ward, efcheat, &c. 

iHatJCnficItJ. — The monks had property here, the gift of Simon, 
fon of Ralph de Tickhill. At the diffolution they paid is. per 
annum to the Hoflle of St. Leonard at York, from land here. 

iftailimar^!),— ^Adam de Sancta Maria with his corpfe gave the 
monks free common in this place with a toft in Haugh, alfo a toft 
and croft, two acres of land, and his wood lying between the road 
to Abdy and Fildingale, leading to the fields of Swinton, with 
liberty to enclofe the fame. 

€§attct of Sfo^n ano ^u$) 2$run. b 

" Know all prefent and future that we, John and Hugh, fons of 
Adam Brun, have remifed and quitclaimed to God and the BlefTed 
Mary and the Monks of Roche for the welfare of our fouls and thofe 
of all our anceftors and heirs all right and claim which we had or 
might have had in all the land of Etheles, fome of which Adam 
Brun our father held of Adam de San&a Maria in the territory of 
Rawmarfh, with homages, wards, reliefs, efcheats, and with all other 
profits which can in any way accrue to us or our heirs or affigns. 
Alfo, that neither we nor any other in our name can demand here- 
after any right or claim in the faid land with its appurtenances. In 
teftimony of which we have to this writing placed our feals. 
Witnefs, Robert de Wath, clerk; Hugh de Brome, Thomas de 
Haby, Thomas de Lindric, Adam Depeker, Hugh de Wikefop, and 
many others." 

The property which the monks had in Rawmarfh, Deepcar, 
Abdy, and Haugh was valued at the diffolution at JT i 13^. gd. per 
annum. 

$H0p, — f Lincoln/hire. J — Walter de Falcunbridge confirmed the 
grant of two oxgangs of land in this place made by Walter de 
Kadburne. The monks held this property as early as the year 1 198. 

8 Particulars for Grants. No. 24. b Dodfworth's M.S., vol. VIII. fol. 80, 81. 

fy — . & 



THE POSSESSIONS. 125 

ftocfjc. — Some have thought that Roche Abbey derived its name 
from St. Roche, the Lombardy saint, others have traced its origin 
to the roach fifh, but from the original title (" monachi de rupe") 
which the monks adopted, we learn without doubt the true fource. 
It mould be noticed that the monks of Roche did not ufe the plural 
as the monks of Fountains did ; they fimplv ibrled themfelves 
" Monks of the Rock." What the particular rock was has alreadv 
been pointed out. 1 " De rupe" was foon changed into " De la 
Roche," and when the French word Roche became anglicized the 
monaftery began to be called Roche Abbey. Had it lalted till now 
it would in all probability- ere this have been called Rock Abbey. 
The actual precincts of Roche Abbey enclofed a lpace of thirty-one 
acres. It was of a triangular fhape, and was furrounded by a high 
fubftantial wall, the greater part of which may ftill be traced in a 
more or less ruined condition.'' This land was the gift of Richard 
de BuQi and Richard Fitz Turgis. c It was confirmed to the monks 
by John de Buili d , by Alice Countefs of Eu e , by Pope Urban IIF., 
and by many of the Kings of England. Henry III. granted the 
monks free warren here. 

In the time of Edward I. we find the Abbot of Roche fum- 
moned to anfwer to our Lord the King on a plea by what warrant 
he claimed to have free warren in all his demefne lands of Roche, 
Brantcliffe, Armthorpe, and Hillbrigthorpe, without the licenie and 
will of the King and his progenitors, &c. And the Abbot appeared 
and faid that he claimed free warren in Roche, Armthorpe, and 
Brantcliffe by charter of the Lord Henry the King, granted in the 
35th year (1250) of his reign, which he produced and which 
terrified that the faid Lord the King granted to a certain Abbot 
and Convent of Roche, predeceifors of that Abbot, that thev 
and their fuccefTors for ever mould have free warren in all their 
demefne lands of Roche, Armthorpe, and Brantcliffe, in the county 
of York, &c. s 

Charter of 3£&am f 113 23urnriL h 

" To all the faithful in Chriit to whom the prefent writing may 
come, Adam Fitz Burnell, of Elmiihall, greeting. Know all that 
the Abbot and Convent of Roche are quit towards me and my heirs 
of five marks which they owed to my father in his charter, which 
is in fafe cuftody with the holy men of Hampol, and of all debts 

* See page 82. b See Plan of the Abbey Grounds. c See Charters, pages + and 5. d See page 11. 

e See page 17. ' See page 15. 
s Roll. 5. d. h Dodiworth's MS., vol. VTII. fol. 445 d. 

4 4 



126 ROCHE ABBET. 

which they ever owed to the faid Burnell my father, in fuch fort, 
however, that I Adam and my heirs fhall be able to demand here- 
after nothing from the faid Abbot and monks by reafon of any debt 
which they at any time owed to my father. But if any one mail 
bring forward in the name of my father any charter to demand any 
debt from the faid Abbot and monks, I and my heirs with all our 
might will faithfully aid them. Witnefs, Jeremia, Parfon of Rofling- 
ton ; William and John his brothers, Hugh de Langethwaite, 
Thomas de Sandal, Hugh de Bilham, John de Skellew, Reginald, 
Prefbyter de Doncafter." 

(Seal, a Lion pajfant.j 

Elmfall lies not far diftant from the property which the monks 
held at Thurnfcoe, Bilham, Skellow, Campfall, &c. It is not 
unlikely that the monks bought fome part of one of thefe of the 
Burnell family. 

The advowfon of Roche Abbey belonged for fome time alter- 
nately to the two founders Richard de Bufli and Richard Fitz Turgis 
or de Wickerfley and their fucceffors, and the value of it appears by 
one of the Clifford Inquifitions, to have been £40 each vacancy. 

The right of prefentation held by Richard Fitz Turgis went at 
his death to his fon Roger de Wickerfley, and from him it paffed to 
Conftantia his daughter, who married William de Levet. It then 
continued in the Levet family until 1377, when John Levet granted 
it to Richard Barry by the following charter. 

Cfjartcc of %tifyn Hetoet. 

" Be it known to all men prefent and future that I, John Levet, 
fon and heir of William Levet, of Hooton Levet, have given, granted, 
and by this my prefent charter confirmed to Richard Barry, citizen and 
merchant of London, the whole of my eftate which I have or my 
anceftors have ever had in the foundation of the Abbey of Roche, in 
the county of York, together with the patronage and advowfon of the 
fame Abbey when it may have become vacant, and with the whole of 
my lordfhip which I have or which my aforefaid anceftors ever had in 
the aforefaid Abbey by reafon of the foundation of the fame or of any 
other title. I alfo give and grant to the fame Richard a certain rent 
of two millings and fixpence proceeding from all thofe lands and 
tenements with their appurtenances which were given by my afore- 
faid anceftors for the foundation of the abbey aforefaid, along with a 
half-penny of rent with the appurtenances proceeding from a certain 



& fr 

THE POSSESSIONS. 127 

fulling mill Jituated in the afore/aid Abbey, granted as parcell of the 
foundation of the fame abbey, which faid rent had been referved, 
by my anceftors aforefaid and their heirs for ever, from the lands 
and tenements aforefaid and from the mill aforefaid with their 
appurtenances over and above the donation of thefe lands along with 
the tenements and mill aforefaid for the foundation of the abbey 
aforefaid. I alfo give and grant to the fame Richard all other my 
fervices with all temporal and fpiritual advantages, with all profits 
and appurtenances which I have or in any way ought to have of the 
aforefaid abbey on account of any refervation respecting the founda- 
tion of the abbey aforefaid. To have and to hold all the aforefaid, 
to wit, my eftate in the foundation aforefaid along with the patron- 
age and advowfon aforefaid, and with all my lordmip aforefaid, and 
rent aforefaid, with all other things aforenamed and all their appur- 
tenances by the aforefaid Richard and his heirs and affigns as freely, 
entirely, and quietly as I or any of my anceftors ever had any eftate 
in the fame or may have had for ever. To receive the aforefaid 
rents in the form aforefaid, to wit, the aforefaid two millings and 
iixpence from all the lands and tenements aforefaid, except from the 
mill aforefaid and the half-penny rent from the fame mill at the 
ufual terms : and I the aforefaid John and my heirs will warrant and 
for ever defend my whole eftate in the foundation aforefaid, together 
with the patronage and advowfon aforefaid and with all my lordfhip 
above mentioned and payments aforefaid with all other fervices and 
temporal and fpiritual profits above mentioned and all their appurte- 
nances and all other things aforenamed contained in this my prefent 
gift to the aforefaid Richard and his heirs and afligns in the form 
aforefaid againft all people. In teftimony of which I have affixed to 
this my prefent charter my feal. WitnefTes : Lord John Fitzwilliam, 
William de Meleton, Thomas de Meteham, knights ; Henry de 
Grendon, Henry de Haloghby, Robert de Mersfh, and others. 
Given at Hooton on the twentieth day of February in the fifty-firft 
year of the reign of King Edward, the third after the conquer!. 

In 1420 there was a fine between William Garth, John Mul- 
thorpe, and Thomas Stokes, plaintiffs ; and William Levet of 
Hooton Levet, and Elizabeth his wife, deforciants, of the advowfon 
of the Abbey of Roche. The right to William, John, and Thomas. 
Soon after this the moiety of the Fitz Turgis family feems to have 
become united with that of the De Bufli, for in 1446 we find Maud, 
Countefs of Cambridge, ftyling herfelf " founder" of Roche, and at 
the diffolution only one founder is returned, Henry Clifford, Earl of 
Cumberland. At the diffolution the fite of the Abbey and the 

«$• — — — — ■ — — <& 



128 ROCHE ABBEY. 

demefne lands feem to have been let to the Earl of Cumberland, in 
whofe hands they remained until they were fold. 

Of what thefe confuted, their value, &c, may be learnt from the 
following "Particulars for Grants" fupplied to William Ramfden 
and Henry Tyrrell : — 

Particulars for Grants, 37 Hen. VIII. se5l. 2. Memb. 53. 
William Ramfden, Grantee. 

Parcel of the PoffeJJions of the late Monajlery of Roche, freely refgned, 

in the County of Tork. 
The rent of the fite of the faid late monaftery together with all 

houfes, buildings, dovecotes, fruit gardens, orchards, gardens, ponds, 

and other conveniences within the precinct of the faid late monaftery 

and with the demefne land to the fame belonging underwritten, as 

they lately were in the tenure of the late Abbot and Convent of the 

faid late monaftery, in value, to wit : — 

s. D. 

The rent of the lite of the faid late monaftery with one 
dovecote and feven orchards, two of which are on the 
eaftern fide with the cemetry and the wafte of Gire- 
wood, containing by eftimation 2 acres, ^s. \d. Two 
orchards with two little ponds on the fouth fide and 
two orchards on the weft fide, containing among them 
by eftimation 5 roods of land, lod.; and one orchard 
called the High Orchard, with one great pond and the 
wafte in the fame, containing by eftimation 2\ acres, 
4-r. 2d. 15 10 

For the rent of one water mill called Barkehoufe Mill .10 o 

For the rent of the grange to the fame lite adjacent and 
belonging, with three fmall crofts containing by efti- 
mation 3 acres 5 o 

Of one pafture called Hygh Hardfall, containing 60 acres 
of pafture there and 50 acres of arable land, with a 
fheepcote there 40 o 

Of one clofe there called Grange Wood, containing by 

eftimation 8 acres 4 o 

Of one little clofe called the Launde, with the wafte there 

containing by eftimation 6 acres of arable land ... 6 o 

Of one meadow called Wallehoufe Meadow, with the 

wafte there containing by eftimation 4 acres ... 6 8 

Of one little common called Hellegreen, with the Wafte 

Craggs, containing by eftimation 5 acres .... o 20 

.$. # 



«$•- 



THE POSSESSIONS. 



129 



.*- 



S. D. 

Of one clofe called Cote Croft, containing by eftimation 

3 acres of arable land 018 

Of one field called Hellewood flat, with the wafte there, 

containing by eftimation 26 acres of arable land 13 o 

Of one croft on the fouth fide of the faid field, containing 

by eftimation half an acre of arable land .... o 6 

Of one clofe called Belleflette, with the wafte ground 

there, containing by eftimation 6 acres 2 o 

Of one field called Longfield, lying near the high crofs lead- 
ing towards Blythe, containing by eftimation 30 acres 15 o 

Of one field called Milnefield, abutting on the New 
Milne Dam, containing by eftimation 20 acres of 
arable land 13 4 

Of three little crofts of meadow called Barkhoufe Mea- 
dow, abutting towards a certain houfe called the Stone, 
containing by eftimation 2 acres 3 4 

Of a certain pafture called Oxclofe, next the Milnefield 

aforefaid, containing by eftimation 7 acres of pafture 2 4 

Of one common called Barkehoufe Green, with the wafte 

ground there, by eftimation 2 acres o 8 

Of one meadow lying within the vill of Sandbeck, with 

the wafte, containing by eftimation 10 acres ... 16 8 

Of one little carr of wafte ground called Stirrope Car, 

containing by eftimation 20 acres 10 o 

Of one meadow called Dooles Meadow, near the White 

Water next Blythe, containing by eftimation 10 acres 5 o 
The whole thus demifed to Lord Hy. Clifford, Earl of Cumber- 
land, by indenture under feal of the Court of Augmentation of the 

Crown, revenue of the faid lord King, as is faid, but as yet not 

fhewn, to be paid at the feaft of the Annunciation of St. Mary the 

Virgin and St. Michael the Archangel equally per annum. 
No reprifals. 
Upon the edge of this parchment, which is very much 

decayed with damp, is the following : — 

£8 12s. $d. tithe, ijs. ^d. clear. In £j 15s. ^d. at 20 years' 

purchafe, £155 $s. Wood, £4.6 ijs. Total, £202 2s. — In hand, 

£68 1 5X. 4^/.; at Eafter next 100 marks, at Chriftmas next 100 

marks. 

Memorandum. That the fame is a thing of itfelf and no parcel 

of any other manor, farm, or grange to the faid late Monaftery 

appertaining. Item. What fine or fines hath been at any time 



17 



.$. 



.$.— — — — — — — ^ 

130 ROCHE ABBEY. 

given for the fame I do not know. Item. As concerning any 
fpiritual promotions to the fame appertaining I know none. Item. 
The fame is diftant from any of the King's Majefties' manors, forefts, 
parks, or chaces referved for his Highnefs by a keeper, v or vi miles 
as I am informed. Item. I have made former particulars of 
the fame to the above named Lord Henry the Earl of Cumberland, 
by virtue of Mr. Moyle's warrant, and I know none other but the 
bringer defirous to purchafe the fame. a 

Examined by Hugh Fuller, Auditor. 

Particulars for Grants, 37 Hen. VIII. sett. 2. Memb. 54., for 
Henry Tyrrell, gent., Feb. 20. 
The yerely value of the fcite and demeanes of the faid late 
Monafterie of Roche, in the countie of Yorke, is vin 1 * xu s vi d , 
whereof deducted for the tenthe xvn s in d , and fo remayneth clere 
vuli xv s m d , whiche rated at xx yeres purchas amounteth to the 
fome of clv 11 v s ; adde therunto for the woddes xlvi 1 * xvii s and fo 
the hole fome is ecu 11 11 s , whereof in hand lxviii 1 * xv s nn d , at 
Eafter nexte lxvi 1 * xiii s nn d , and at Chriftmas then nexte lxvi 11 

XIII s IIII d . 

The King's MajefKe is pleafed and contente to difcharge the 
premifes of all incumbrances except leaffes and the xth before, and 
except fuch charges as the fermors are bound to beare and paie by 
force of their indentures. 

M d - to excepte and referve all the leade, belles, and belle mettall 
being in and upon the premifes, togither withe all fuche fuperfluous 
buyldinges, tymbre, ftone, iron, glaffe, and other thinges as ben 
excepted oute of the fermor's leaffe. 

Irr. per Wm. Burnell. Edw. North. 

Countye of Yorke. 
The fcyte and demeans of the late monastery of Roche in the 
feyd countye, withe one mylne called Bakehoufe Mylne, in the fame 
countye, parcell of the poffemons of the feyd late monastery. 
Norwood conteyneth xx acres 
Helwood Copp. conteyneth iv acres 
Backhoufe Copp. otherwife called y lx acres. 

Fryth Copp. conteyneth xvi acres 
Hylclyff Copp. conteyneth xx acres 
Whereof xvi acres of viii, x, and xn yeres growthe refer vid to 
Sr. Henrye Clyfford, Knight, Erie of Cumbrelande, for his fyre 
boote and hedgeboote. 

» As thefe particulars are partly in Latin and partly in contrafted Engliih they have been modernized. 



•§• ~~ — *&• 

THE POSSESSIONS. 131 

S. D. I S. 

One acre of one yeres growthe o 6 

One acre of 11 yeres growthe 012 

One acre of in yeres growthe 018 

One acre of mi yeres growthe 2 o 

One acre of v yeres growthe 2 6 

x acres of vn yeres growthe 35 o 

x acres of ix yeres growthe 45 o 

vii acres of xi yeres growthe 38 6 

vi acres of xiii yeres growthe 39 ° 

vi acres refydue of xiiii yeres growthe ... 42 o 
The wood every acre aforefeyd, valued as ap- 

peryth, wych ys in the nolle 10 7 

The fprynge of the wood or ground of xvi acres aforefeyd, 
not valuyed bycaufe they be refervid, and of xliiii 
acres refydue, rated yerely at vi d the acre, wych ys 
yerely in the nolle xxii s , and amounteth after xx yeres 

purchafe to . - 22 o 

In the feyd woodes about the fcytuation of the feyd late 
monaftery, and in the feyd demeans be growinge dccc 
okes and afhes of lx and lxxx yeres growthe, parte 
tymbre and parte ufually cropped and fhred, wherof 
ccclx refervid for tymbre to repayre the houfes {land- 
ing uppon the fcyte of the feyd late monaftery, and for 
ploughboote, cartboote, and ftakes for hedgeboote for 
the feyd fermor cxl valued at xn d the tree, and ccc 
refydue at vi d the tree, which ys in the nolle . . . 14 10 

Ex r - per me David Clayton. Total . . . £46 17 

The fite and demefne lands of Roche were firft granted to 
William Ramfden, in 37 Hen. VIII., but they did not continue in 
his poiTeffion long. They changed hands rapidly from Ramfden to 
Tyrrell, then to Banke, Hewett, Hunt, Frankland, and finally to the 
family whofe noble reprefentative ftill owns them. 

iSocfjefcralc. — The monks acquired coniiderable property in this 
pariih at an early date from Lord Robert de Stapelton. His great 
grandfon confirmed it to them by the following charter : — 

Charter of 3Barmu£ be £cargitf. 

"To all true Chriftian people to whom thefe prefents mall 
come, Warinus de Scargill fendeth greeting in our Lord. Know 

4. ^. 



•$• — — *#* 

1 32 ROCHE ABBET. 

that I, for the falvation of my foul and of all my ancestors and heirs, 
have granted and confirmed to God and the Bleffed Virgin Mary and 
the Abbot and Convent of Roche and their fucceffors all the gifts 
and grants which Lord Robert, fon of William de Stapelton, my 
great grandfather, whofe heir I am, made to them. All that land 
and tenements which are called Hillbrigthorpe, by thefe boundaries : 
by the way which leadeth from Stone Edge to Knot Hill and 
paffeth the water of Tame and fo upwards to the other Knot Hill, 
and all that Knot Hill even unto Woodward Hill, eaft, weft, and 
north fo far as my land reacheth, with all buildings, woods, mea- 
dows, feedings, waters, paftures, and all appurtenances and other 
things under the earth and above the earth, with the whole foreft 
and all other liberties to the faid foreft belonging. I have alfo 
granted to the faid Abbot and Convent and their fucceffors for me 
and my heirs full power to enclofe all the faid tenements by the 
boundaries aforefaid altogether as walled and the walls if thrown 
down to make up and renew as often and when they may pleafe, 
and to keep the fame enclofed without hindrance or reproach of me 
or my heirs or affigns. And alfo common of pafture from the great 
way which leadeth from Stone Edge to the Bridgewater of Tame 
toward the north to the boundary aforefaid ; and from Knot Hill to 
Woodward Hill, as the water departs towards the wood of Tame. 
To have and to hold all the faid tenements and paftures in free and 
perpetual alms, fafe and quiet from all fecular fervice, claims and 
demands for ever, fo that the faid Abbot and Convent of Roche and 
their fucceffors may do what they will with all that is contained 
within their faid enclofed tenements without contradiction of me or 
my heirs and without plea of foreft. And I, the faid Warinus, and 
my heirs will warrant, acquit, and for ever defend all the faid tene- 
ments and paftures and their appurtenances to the faid Abbot and 
Convent and their fucceffors againft all men, in teftimony of which 
as well my feal as the common feal of the faid Abbot and Convent 
to this writing indented are feverally affixed, thefe being witneffes, 
Lord Edmund de Waftenayes, Lord Thomas de Schofelde, Lord 
John de Doncaftre, knights ; John of the chamber of Stapelton, 
William my fon, and others. Dated at Roche, on Sunday, in the 
feaft of the Converfion of St. Paul, in the year of Grace one 
thoufand three hundred and fourteen." 2 

This property was fituated in the townfhip of Quick, b and in the 
divifion called Friar Mere. 



" lam indebted to G. Shaw, Efq., of Saddleworth, for this charter. 
b In the confirmation of Hen. III., printed at page 21, " Quicke" fhould be read, inftead of "Sonke." 



* 



<#. — — — <#• 

THE POSSESSIONS. 133 

In 1 3 1 o the Abbots of Roche and Whalley feem to have had 
fome difpute about tithes. 

Composition focttuecn tfje ^TOotS of H^ailep ano fotxfyt, 

" By the tenor of thefe prefents it is manifeft to all, that inafmuch 
as a controverfy has arifen between the religious men, the Abbot of 
Whalley with his convent, rector of the Church of Rochedale, on 
the one part, and the Abbot of Roche on the other, upon the 
exaction of tithes of Hillbrigthorpe, lituated within the limits of the 
faid parifh ; the difpute has at length by the counfel and direction of 
the lords Abbots of Ryevall and Bildewas, judges affigned by a 
general chapter of the order in the faid caufe, alfo with the confent 
and free will of the faid parties being fettled in this manner, viz., 
that the faid Abbot of Roche pay every year to the aforefaid Abbot 
of Whalley or his certified proctor at Hillbrigthorpe forty pence of 
filver and one pound of wax and one pound of frankincenfe at the 
two terms of the year, viz., twenty pence and one pound of wax at 
the feaft. of St. Martin in the Winter, and twenty pence and one 
pound of frankincenfe at Pentecoft for all tithes of garbs of all 
lands cultivated and to be cultivated pertaining to the faid place of 
Hillbrigthorpe, according to the command of the bull of Lord 
Boniface VIII., Pope. And becaufe in the agreement of this 
convention there was a doubt whether the tithe hay ought to be 
reckoned with the greater tithes of garbs or with the lefTer, it was 
agreed by the parties that the faid doubt mould be decided by a 
faithful inquifition of rectors, vicars of that country, fufpected by 
neither party, before the ordinaries of that archdeaconry in the 
province of the parties, and that what mould be found by the faid 
inquifition mould be held good, and the prefent compofition about 
tithes of garbs with the addition of the tithe of hay, either as 
greater or lefTer tithes, as the faid inquifition mail decree to be 
affigned after the faid inquifition be renewed and corroborated by 
the common feals of each chapter, to remain for all time. In 
witnefs of which the parties have placed the feals which they ufe to 
this ordinance bipartite. Given at Wakefield, Friday next after the 
feaft of St. Barnabas the Apoftle, a.d. 1310." 

In 1293 the Abbot of Roche was fummoned to anfwer by what 
warrant he claimed to have free warren in his lands of Hillbrig- 
thorpe. He maintained a bailiff here at a yearly income of twenty 
millings. The laft perfon who held this office was Henry 
Whitehead. 

The rents and farms at Hillbrigthorpe were valued at the 

•$• — — 



«§• — «$• 

134 ROCHE ABBET. 

diffolution at £20 os. $d., and from the following extracl: from the 
Manchejier Guardian we are enabled to learn more in detail of what 
the property confifted, and alfo what was its ultimate deftination : — 

" A copy has been brought us of a Royal grant of the 35 th 
Henry VIII. to Arthur Affheton in confideration of £361 ys. \d. 
paid by him into the Court of Augmentations of the revenues of 
the Crown — of eftates, lands, buildings, and tenements, &c, of the 
late Monaftery of Rupe, otherwife Roche Abbey, formerly belong- 
ing and appertaining. Amongft. thefe there are a tenement called 
Afhenbeech, otherwife Thoome, in the town of Saddleworth, in the 
parifh of Ryche Dale, otherwife Rattefdale, in the occupation of 
Ralph and Chriftopher Chetham and John Wrigley, with the 
houfes, lands, tenements, meadows, feedings, paftures, rents, revi- 
fions, fervices, &c, thereto belonging ; the farm of Denfhaw, in 
Saddleworth, with the mills, houfes, &c. ; all the lands, &c, of the 
grange called Caftlefhaw ; one fourth part of the cuftoms or fervices 
called ' boons,' to the late monaftery formerly belonging ; the farm 
of Swaincroft, in Saddleworth ; the paftures called Knott-hill ; the 
tenement in the territory of Hilbrighthorpe (now called Grange) in 
Saddleworth ; the paftures called the Delf ; all that mine of ftones 
called Blackftondelf, in Saddleworth ; various yearly rents of 1 6j-. \d., 
&c. ; common pafture, turbary, &c, in Saddleworth ; and the 
reverfions of all the premifes with their appurtenances ; all the 
rents, revenues, and other yearly profits referved in any demifes of 
the premifes ; all the woods, underwoods, and trees growing upon 
the premifes. Arthur Affheaton, his heirs, &'c, to hold and enjoy 
all the premifes, &c, as fully and entirely and in as ample manner 
and form as the laft Abbot and late Convent of the fame late 
Monaftery at any time before its diffolution. All the iffues, rents, 
reverfions, and profits of the faid granges, farms, meffuages, lands, 
&c, are granted to Arthur Affheaton from the feafl of the Annun- 
ciation of the Bleffed Virgin Mary laft paft. (March 25th, 1543.) 
And laftly the King grants thefe letters patent under the great feal, 
without fine or fee, great or fmall, to us in our hanaper or elfewhere, 
to our ufe in anywife to be rendered, paid, or done. Witnefs the 
King at Weflminfler, the 5th of June. By writ of privy feal, &c." 

ftotfbp* — The Abbot of Roche derived a large portion of his 
revenue from the property which he held in this place. It is 
fituated in the northern part of Lincolnfhire. There exifts a ready 
mode of communication between it and Roche by the rivers Trent 
and Idle, which the monks made ufe of, for we have already feen 

4p — % 



♦- 



THE POSSESSIONS. 135 



that they had a convenient place at which to load and unload mips on 
the banks of the Trent at Flixburgh, a place only a few miles off. 
They alfo had a landing place at York ; fo by water carriage they 
could eafily get the produce of their land here into a good market. 

About the year 1 180 Hugh de Wadworth, the fourth Abbot of 
Roche, bought the grange of Roxby, having borrowed money from 
the Jews of York for that purpofe. 

Before the year 11 86 the Abbot obtained a magnificent gift 
from Walter de Scoteni, called in the confirmation of Pope Urban 
III. " Roxby, with its appurtenances." 

About the year 1200 the Abbot of Roche, in confequence of 
this gift, claimed the advowfon of the Church of St. Mary, of 
Roxby. We find the following entries relating to this fubject on 
the Roll of Pleas in the Eafter term of the fecond year of King 
John :— 

"Lincoln/hire. — The Abbot of Roche fues againft the Prior of the 
Holy Trinity of York and the Convent of the fame place, that they 
permit him to prefent a fit perfon to the Church of Roxby, which 
is vacant and is of their gift, as they fay, &c. The Prior fays that 
the church is their right, as that which Ralph Paynell gave to them 
by charter, which they produced, which teftifies this facl: and the 
confirmation of his heirs. And the Abbot fays that the fame Prior 
never had feizin thereof, nor had he prefented the laft parfon, but 
Walter de Scoteni, who gave to him the whole of the land which 
they have in Roxby, with the church of the fame vill, by his charter 
which he produced, and which teftifies this facl:, and thereof prays a 
jury. And becaufe Walter was not prefent, and it appertains to him 
to acl: in regard of the prefentation, the Prior withdraws without a 
day, &c." 

"Lincoln/hire. — In aflize of darrein prefentment to the Church of 
Roxby, the advowfon of which the Abbot of Roche claims againft 
the Prior of Drax, and againft the Prior of the Holy Trinity of 
York. 

And the Prior of Drax comes and fays that there ought not to 
be an aflize thereof, becaufe William Painell, of whofe right and 
inheritance that church had been, gave the Church of Roxby to 
God and St. Nicholas, and to the canons ferving in the territory of 
Drax by this charter, which he produces and which teftifies this fact. 
He alfo proffers the charter of Richard de Courcy, who had to wife 
the daughter of the fame William, confirming the gift of the fame 
William and the charter of Robert de Gaunt, who had the fame 
daughter to wife, confirming the fame gift, and the charter of Walter 



"•$* 



136 ROCHE ABBEY. 



de Scoteni, to whom the fame Robert and his wife, heirefs of the 
aforefaid William, had given that land where the church is fituate, 
which teftifies that Walter de Scoteni gave and by his charter con- 
firmed to the Church of St. Nicholas and to the canons of Drax, 
whatfoever William had granted to the fame canons in the vill of 
Roxby, namely, the Church of Roxby with all its appurtenances. 
But the Prior of the Holy Trinity produces the charter of Ralph 
Painell, father of the aforefaid William, who came at the conqueft 
of England, and who gave to his church that church, and the 
charters of Alexander, Jordan, and William, his fons, confirming his 
gift, and the charter of Robert, then Bilhop of Lincoln, and the 
confirmation of King Henry, great grandfather of the then King, 
and both Priors hold themfelves to one anfwer. It was adjudged 
that Walter mould be diftrained to be prefent to manifeft hereafter 
whether he be willing to warrant to the Abbot of Roche his charter 
or to the Prior of Drax the charter which he had made to him in 
the laft inftance, and in the meanwhile the jury to remain." 

It is certain that Walter de Scoteni did not warrant the grant 
of the advowfon to the Abbey of Roche, for the rectory continued 
in medieties reflectively in the patronage of the two priories of the 
Holy Trinity and of Drax until the year 1292 ; but fubfequently 
Robert the Prior and the Convent of the Holy Trinity granted their 
mediety of this church to the Prior and Convent of Drax. 

An agreement was made before 1227 between Reginald Abbot 
of Roche and Alan Prior of Drax, viz., that the former granted to 
the latter two oxgangs of land with a toft in Roxby, for which the 
latter was to pay an annual rent of five millings, and the Prior gave 
to the Abbot the water mill of Roxby with the pool and water- 
courfe ; and the Prior had liberty to have a horfe mill within their 
own court to grind their own proper corn, but not that of his men, 
who mould be obliged to do fuit at their water-mill. 

Philip Abbot of Roche releafed Thomas Prior of Drax from all 
fuits at his court for what the latter had in Roxby. 

Walter de Scoteni quitclaimed the annuity of £1 which the 
Abbot of Roche ufed to pay him. 

According to an inquifition made at Lincoln before the juftici- 
aries of the lord the King, namely, Sir William de St. Omer and Sir 
Warine de Chaucomb, in 1275, by twelve jurors of the wapentake 
of Manley, we find the following : — " Alfo they fay that the Abbot 
of Roche holds one barony in Roxby for three knight's fees, which 
he had of the gift of Walter de Scotenai in the time of the lord 
King John, father of Henry laft deceafed, feventy years elapfed ; 



•§•- 



THE POSSESSIONS. 137 

which barony, to wit, the faid Walter held of Hugh Painel, and the 
fame Hugh of Andrew Luterel, and the fame Andrew of the lord 
the King in chief, and it is worth yearly one hundred marks, &c." 

In 1287 John Paynel fought againft the Abbot of Roche fixteen 
tofts and one carucate and a half of land, with the appurtenances in 
Roxby, which he claimed as his right by plea in court. 

According to the " Taxation of Pope Nicholas" made about 
1 29 1, what the monks owned in Roxby was valued at £29 12s. Sd. 
per annum. 

In 1292 John Paynel, by judgment of court, recovered againft 
the Abbot of Roche one meffuage and thirty-two bovates of land 
with the appurtenances in Roxby next to Stather, which the Abbot 
attempted to fet at nought on account of errors therein alleged. 
This is alfo more fully recorded, as follows : — " John Paynell 
recovered before the juftices of the Bench, firft by default of the 
Abbot of Roche, one merTuage and thirty-two bovates of land in 
Roxby, which judgement was confirmed by the jufticiars before 
the King's counfel. And now both judgements are confirmed by 
the auditors of complaints, before whom the faid Abbot complained 
of William de Brumpton, a justiciar of the Bench* that he had 
promulged the faid firft judgement in favour of and for the fake of 
upholding John de Kyrkeby, Bilhop of Ely. In this judgement, 
becaufe the Abbot faid that in the time of the firft judgement the 
firft Abbot, his predeceffor, who made default was dead, our lord the 
King enjoined that enquiry mould be made by oath about his death. 
And the firft faid John proves by religious men, knights, and ferving 
men worthy of credit, that the faid Abbot who made default was 
alive when he made default. And the Abbot proves by his monks 
and other members of his community that he was dead. And it is 
faid the faid John gave the better proof, becaufe the monks did not 
make their depofitions as well as thofe whom John produced." 

It will be feen by the following charters that the Abbot regained 
this property by purchafe from Philip, brother and heir of John 
Paynel : — s 

ftopal Chatter, 

"The King, to all &c, greeting. Inafmuch as it has been 
teftified before us and our council that John Paynel, formerly in our 
court before our Juftices of the Bench, by the award of our faid 
court, recovered againft Walter, formerly Abbot of Roche, one 
merTuage and thirty-two bovates of land with the appurtenances in 
Roxby, by default which the faid Abbot made in the fuit that was 
between them in our aforefaid court by our brief de retto about the 



138 ROCHE ABBEY. 

tenements aforefaid, by which the ejiate of the faid houfe is become 
much deprejfed ; we with the common council of our realm have 
determined this, that it be not allowed to religious men or others to 
enter upon any one's fee fo that it come to a dead hand, without 
our licenfe and that of the chief lord from whom the thing is 
immediately held. Wifhing therefore to do a fpecial favour to 
Philip Paynel, brother and heir of the faid John, we have given 
him licenfe, as far as in us lies, that he may give and affign that 
meffuage and the aforefaid thirty-two bovates of land, with the 
appurtenances in Roxby, to our beloved in Chrift, Stephen, now 
Abbot of Roche, and the Convent of the fame place, to have and 
to hold to them and their fucceffors for ever ; and to the faid Abbot 
and Convent that they may receive the faid meffuage and land with 
the appurtenances from the faid Philip by the tenor of the prefents, 
we grant a fpecial favour in like manner, being unwilling that the 
faid John, or his heirs, or the faid Abbot and Convent, or their 
fucceffors, by reafon of the ftatute aforefaid by us or our heirs mould 
receive annoyance therefrom or in any way be oppreffed, fave, how- 
ever, the fervices therefrom due and accuftomed to the chief lord of 
the fee. In testimony, &c, witnefs the King at Weftminfter on the 
twentieth day of June." 1 

Cptfer of f^ilip $apnei. b 

" To all the faithful in Chrift who mail fee or hear the prefent 
letters, Philip Paynel, lord of Weftrafen, greeting in the Lord. 
Know that I have received and had of the religious men, the Abbot 
and Convent of Roche, fix hundred marks of good and lawful 
fterling money, in which they were bound to me for the furrender 
of the Manor of Roxby by a certain recognizance made in the 
court of our lord the King, a.d. 1293, and in like manner by divers 
writings made neverthelefs between me and the faid religious, con- 
cerning the faid fix hundred marks, of which fix hundred marks 
fully and entirely within five years, as is contained in particular 
writings which they have in their poffeffion, I call myfelf well and 
entirely paid and contented, and fo I render the faid monks quit of 
all expenfes and loffes for myfelf and my heirs and executors by thefe 
prefents for ever ; and the recognizance of fix hundred marks and all 
writings whatever in any manner or time, however made, concern- 
ing them or part of them, I condemn and annul by thefe prefents. 
And I and my heirs or executors will preferve the faid religious 
free from harm againft all men with refpect to the faid fix hundred 

a Patent Rolls. 21 Edw. I. Memb. 9. b Dodfworth's MSS., vol. VIII. fol. 288 a. 



4* •& 

THE POSSESSIONS. 139 

marks, or from having any damages in refpect of them for ever on 
pain of forfeiture of all our goods prefent and future. And be it 
known that the faid Abbot and Convent have particular writings of 
the faid payments in their poffeffion and this writing of acquittance 
in full notwithstanding, fo that it may not be understood by any one 
that I have twice levied the faid fix hundred marks. In teflimony 
of which I have to the prefent letters placed my feal, and in 
teftimony of the apportion of my feal I have procured the feal of 
the lord Prior of Drax and of Stephen * * * likewife to be 
placed to it. Given at the houfe of Drax * * * St. John 
Baptift, a.d. 1297." 

In 1299 the King gave licenfe to Robert de Rothewell to give 
and affign to the Abbot of Roche two bovates of land with the 
appurtenances in Roxby ; and to Ralph Brown of Roxby the fame 
licenfe to give, &c, one bovate of land with the appurtenances in 
the fame town to the faid Abbot. a 

In 1 3 1 3 the King granted licenfe to Henry de Cokewald to give 
and affign to the Abbot of Roche one mefTuage, twenty acres of 
land, and two acres of meadow in Roxby, and to Hugh de le Wyk 
the fame licenfe to give, &c, one toft and two acres and a half of 
land in Roxby, which faid mefTuages, tofts, land, and meadow were 
of the fee of the faid Abbot, and worth 23.C per annum. b 

In 1339 the King granted licenfe, by a fine of forty marks, to 
John de Chaucumbe to give and affign to the Abbot of Roche one 
bovate and four acres of land with the appurtenances in Roxby, 
which were held from the aforefaid Abbot, and worth 6s. Sd. per 
annum. 

Hugh de le Wyk of Roxby gave the monks two acres of land 
in the fame place in the South Field. 

Thomas, the clerk of Flixburgh, and William de Coleton 
releafed the monks from the payment of two marks which they 
ufed to pay to them. 

At the dirTolution the annual income derived by the Abbot from 
Roxby, in rents, perquifites of court, &c, was £37 os. yd. ; out of 
this the following fees were paid : £6 6s. Sd. to Thomas Lord 
Burgh, fenefchal of Roxby; and ^1 to Robert Thornabye, bailiff 
of Roxby. 

JbanfciaL — In 1232 King Henry III. confirmed what the monks 
held in this place. 

a Pat. Rolls 28 Ed. I. M. 73. b Pat. Rolls 7 Edw. II. pt. 1. Memb. 8. 

c Pat. Rolls 13 Edw. II. Memb. 44. 

4 _ <fr 



140 ROCHE ABBEY. 

^anbfcec. — On St. Giles' day, 1241, the monks obtained their 
firft property in this place by the following charter : — 

€fyattet of SNnca be Utpont. 

" Know, all prefent and future, that I, Idonea de Vipont, in my 
widowhood and in free power over my body, have given, conceded, 
and by this my prefent charter have confirmed to God and the 
Blefied Mary and the monks of the Rock, the whole of my manor 
of Sandbec with my corpfe, with the homages and fervices, as well 
of free men as of copyholders, and with all commons, liberties, and 
eafements pertaining to the fame manor everywhere within and 
without the faid vill of Sandbec without hindrance, to be held and 
had for a pure and perpetual alms free and quiet from all fervices, 
cuftoms, exactions, and demands. And I, Idonea, and my heirs will 
warrant the faid manor of Sandbec with its appurtenances to the 
faid monks, and will acquit and defend it for ever againft all men. 
Moreover, for greater fecurity I have affixed my feal to this writing. 
Witnefles : John de Croyton, Thomas de Bug, John de Stainton, 
Richard de Horbiry, Robert de Wicker/ley, knights ; Walter, 
fenefchal in the cattle of Tickhill, Peter de Wadworth, William de 
Stainton, John de Monteby, Hugh de Scelhall, John de Wlvethwait." 

(Seal, Idonea at full length, with a hawk upon her left hand.) 

The right of the Abbot to this manor was difputed by Robert 
de Vipont, the fecond grandfon of Idonea, as may be learnt from 
the following : — 

identification of ftirfjatb be 25opoxO + 

" To all who mail fee or hear thefe letters, and especially to the 
twelve knights elected to make the great aflize between the Abbot 
of Roche and Robert de Vipont, Richard de Boyvill in the Lord 
eternal health. Wifhing to inform you upon the oath which is 
about to be made to you being prefent, I teftify in truth by God, 
and by the baptifm with which I have been baptized, and by the 
knighthood with which I have been dubbed, that on the day of 
St. Giles, in the year of our Lord 1241, my lady Idonea de Bufli, of 
her own free will and full power of her body, with great delibera- 
tion of mind, gave to the Church of Roche the whole manor of 
Sandbec, with the ploughs and all other things pertaining to it, in 
the prefence of many of her friends and faithful fervants then and 
there prefent, Sir John de Croxton, Sir Thomas de Bury, Sir R. de 
Boyvill, knights ; and Sir J. de Monby. On the morrow of St. 
Giles the charter of this donation was written and fealed with the 

■$.— •fr 



THE POSSESSIONS. 141 

great feal and private feal of the lady on the morrow of the nativity 
of the Blefled Mary next following." 

The right of the Abbot to this property was again queftioned in 
1265, when an inquifition was taken by Robert de Ullay, &c, at 
Anfton, the jurors being William de Rhodes, Adam de Monte 
Acuto, &c, to examine whether the Abbot of Roche had intruded 
himfelf into the manor of Sandbec, which belonged to Robert de 
Vipont, by occalion of the troubles late had in England, when the 
jury found that the Abbot had not intruded himfelf, but was in 
feizin before the troubles, in the troubles, and after the troubles. 

John, fon of Gilbert de Ewes, gave the monks fix acres and a 
half of land in Sandbec. 

Hugh, Marfhal de Sywardthorp, gave his mill in Sandbec with 
the pool and watercourfe. 

In 1535 the annual value of the property which the Abbot held 
in Sandbec was valued at £14. is.; out of this he had to pay to the 
Hofpital of St. Leonard at York one milling, and to the Prior of 
Blythe, for a parcel of land in Sandbec, one milling per annum. 

The following is an account of the timber belonging to the 
Abbot at Sandbec at the diflblution : — 

County of York." 

"The manor of Sandbeck, in the fayd Countye, parcell of the 
pofleflyons of the late monafterye of Roche, in the fame countye : 

"Trees growing aboute the fcyte of the feyd manor and in the 
hedges inclofing the lands perteyning to the fame wyll barly fuffyce 
to repayr the houfes {landing uppon the fcyte of the feyd mannor 
and the feid hedges and fences, therefore not valued. 

Ex r - per me David Clayton." 

At the diflblution the manor of Sandbec was granted to Richard 
Turke, gentleman, citizen of London, and in 3 Edw. VI. he had 
licenfe to alienate it to Robert Saunderfon and his heirs. 

d8cafctl$&p. — In 1 198 King Richard I. confirmed whatever the 
monks had in this place. At the diflblution they had property here, 
but of no great confequence, as it with three other places was only 
valued at 1 is. §d. per annum. 

^erlfcp. — Matilda de Moles, before the year 1208, gave the 
monks all the lands which the men of Blythe held of Hugh de 
Moles, her brother, and afterwards of her in the fields of Serlby in 
the county of Nottingham. — (See Torworth.J 

a Particulars for Grants. Mikellaneous, No. 60. 
«$. ■ •#* 



•$• — — •$• 

1 42 ROCHE ABBEY. 

Hugh de Moles with his body gave his mills in this place with 
the fuit thereof. (See Blythe.J He alfo gave a fifhery above and 
below the mills, with one oxgang of land and the fervice of ij-. 
from Alan de Clifton and his heirs, for one oxgang of land in the 
fame territory ; and of Norman, fon of Robert, for another oxgang. 

The monks had no property here at the diffolution. 

j&t$&ttt$* — From the confirmation of Pope Urban III. we find 
that William de Moles and William Fitz Gerard gave Sezacres with 
its appurtenances. 

£J)dIep see €tjur£ton](anti. 
^Jjeptoicfc see J^alfterinojam* 

d&iafcie $00t01t» — The Abbot of Roche obtained what he had 
here from Robert de Ripers in exchange for other lands, &c, as is 
(hewn by the following : — 

Charter of STOot ftitfjarti ann Hofcert tie 0i$>o#* 

" Know, prefent and future, that it is thus agreed between 
Richard Abbot of Roche and the monks of the fame place, on the 
one part ; and Robert de Ripers on the other ; viz., that the afore- 
faid Richard the Abbot and the monks, for themfelves and for their 
fucceffors, have given, conceded, and by this prefent charter con- 
firmed to the aforefaid Robert de Ripers, for his homage and fervice, 
and for the exchange of his land of Slade Hooton, in addition to fix 
marks of yearly rent, and for the exchange of two pieces of meadow 
in Walkeringham which the fame Robert held, and for £100 
fterling which he gave to the fame with his own proper hands, 
their lands and meadows which they had in Wadworth and Alverley, 
and in Loverfal, with the wood which they had in Wadworth, with 
the farm of the fame wood and the mill, their mill, with the fite 
and pools and waters, and with all kinds of fuits everywhere pertain- 
ing to the aforefaid mill within the aforefaid vills and without, to be 
held and had by the fame Robert and his heir and afligns and their 
heirs for ever, viz., in homages, in fervices of free men, in villanages 
with the villains and their fuits and chattels, in wards, in relieves 
and efcheats freely, peacefully, and hereditarily with all commons, 
liberties, eafements, advantages, and with all other things and with 
all other pertenances to the aforefaid lands, meadows, mills, pools, 
and waters, and wood and wood farm everywhere pertaining within 
the faid vills and without, without any hindrance. Saving, never- 
thelefs, to the faid Abbot and Monks and their fuccenors their land 

* -____ 



THE POSSESSIONS. 



H3 



in Wellingley, with its pertenances. But the aforefaid Robert and 
his heirs or affigns, or their heirs, render the aforefaid Richard and 
the monks and their fucceffors only 27 pence per annum, to wit, 
12 pence at the feaft of St. Martin in the Winter, and 15 pence at 
Whitfuntide, for all fervices, exactions, and demands which refpect 
or can relpect the faid Abbot Richard and Monks and their fuccef- 
fors. There mail be done, neverthelefs/ by the aforefaid Abbot 
Richard and the Monks and their fucceffors foreign fervices which 
pertain to the aforefaid tenements. But the aforefaid Richard and 
Monks, &c, mall not make or erect, nor by means of any of them 
caufe to be made or erected, nor fhall allow Peter de Wadworth nor 
his heir nor affigns, nor their heirs nor any of theirs, to make or 
erect any mill, to wit, neither water-mill nor wind-mill in the 
territory of Wadworth to the hurt or detriment or grievance of the 
aforefaid Robert or his heirs or his affigns, or their heirs. But the 
faid Peter de Wadworth and his heirs fhall have free mulcture of 
the whole of their malt and corn of their own proper homeftead in 
the aforefaid mills for ever without let from any one, as is contained 
in the charter which the aforefaid Richard and the monks have of 
the aforefaid Peter. And the aforefaid Richard Abbot and his 
Monks, &c, all the aforefaid lands and mills, and pools and waters, 
and rites of the mills, and the wood and the wood farm, and the 
meadows, with all things and fuits, eafements, and with all perte- 
nances to them everywhere pertaining, as was aforefaid againft all 
people for the aforefaid fervice will warrant, acquit, and defend for 
ever. Now, for this donation, conceffion, confirmation, and exchange, 
the aforefaid Robert has given to the aforefaid Richard Abbot and 
Monks, &c, all his land which he had in Slade Hooton, with the 
villains and their goods and chattels and villanages and fervices of free 
men, with all pertenances as is aforefaid, without any reftraint, and 
his meadow which he had in Walkeringham, and £100 flerling by 
rendering for the land of Slade Hooton to the lords of Tickhill 6d. 
per annum at Eafter, and to Arnold Biffet and his heirs the fervices 
which pertain to the aforefaid land, as is contained in the charter 
which the aforefaid Robert had of the aforefaid Arnold, and which 
the fame Robert freed to the aforefaid Abbot and Monks for the 
warrants and fecurity of their agreement, and by rendering Adam, 
fon of William de Walkeringham, for the aforefaid meadow id. per 
annum at the feaft of St. Mary Magdalen, for all fervices. And that 
all the things which are contained in this writing may remain 
ratified, firm, and flable, as well the faid Richard Abbot and Monks 
as the aforefaid Robert, the prefent writing made after the manner 



-•$• 



-*$• 



i 4 4 ROCHE ABBEY. 



of a deed have with the impreffion of their feals corroborated. 
Witneffes : Simon de Heden, Robert de Wlrington, Richard le 
Blund of Blythe, Robert de Mifterton, Hugh de Moles, Henry de 
Darley, Richard de Louweder, Herbert de Wlrington, Gerard de 
Hedon, JefFery de Turmifton, Nicholas, fon of JefFery de Erdefale, 
Thomas de Wlrington, and others." 

The date of this charter is between 1238 and 1254. 

Among the "Particulars for Grants"* we find the following: — 

County of York. 

" The manor of Hutton Slade, with Carre, Hutton Leveyt, and 
Hutton Robert, in the fayd Countye, parcell of the poffefiyons of 
the late mon. of Roche, in the fame countye." 

" There be growing about the fcytuations of xn tenements and 
cotages there and in the hedges inclofing the landes perteyning to 
the fame lxxx okes and afhes of lx and lxxx yeres growth, whereof 
lxv refervyd for tymber to repayre the fayd tenements and cotages 
and one corn myln there, and for flakes for hedgeboote to repayre 
and maynteyne the fayd hedges and fences. And xx refydue valuyd 
at iiij d - the tree, which is in the nolle vi s viu d - 

Ex r - per me David Clayton." 

Jbmeatott* — From Dr. Burton we learn that Simon, fon of Algar 
de Smeaton, with his corpfe gave half an oxgang of land here. 
This property, together with what the monks had in Scawfby, 
Campfal, and Afkern, was valued in 1535 at iij". $d. per annum. 

a&ltaitf}* — Edmund de Lacy, conftable of Chefter, granted and 
confirmed to the monks all that they held in his focage of Snaith, in 
the year of Grace 1158. (See Tickhill.J 

^tailtfotiJ. — The monks had property here in 1 2 3 1 . Mr. Hunter 
gives the following account of the foundation of a chapel at this 
place: — " On the day of Pentecoft, 1355, an indenture was made 
between the Abbot and Convent of Roche on the one part, and 
Thomas de Rillington and fix others, parifhioners of the Church of 
Hatfield, on the other part, that the faid Abbot of Roche having 
the Church of Hatfield appropriated, granted and permitted that the 
faid parifhioners and other the inhabitants of the town of Stainford 
might, by the Archbifhop's licenfe, maintain at their own cofl a 
chaplain to celebrate divine fervice in the Chapel of Stainford, 
newly builded, for the fpace of three years daily, excepting on 
Sundays and other great feflivals, whereon they were to repair to 

a Mifcellaneous, No. 58. - 



* 



•$*" 



THE POSSESSIONS. 



H5 



■*$• 



the Parifh Church of Hatfield. This agreement was confirmed by 
the Archbifhop's vicar-general on November 17th, 1355." 

The tithes which the Abbot of Roche derived from Stainford 
were valued at £5 per annum, out of which he had to pay 4s. i\d. 
to the Provoft of Stainford. The monks held their property here 
till the diifolution. 

^tatitrcUaie see <&wa$% 

Stainton. — In 1202 Hugh de Stainton granted 30 acres of land, 
reckoned by the perch of i$l feet, in the fields of Stainton, at 
Rokkehill, to the Abbot of Roche and his fucceffors for a pure and 
perpetual alms. In fuch fort that the faid Abbot or his fuccerTors 
make no building on the aforefaid 30 acres of land without the 
confent and will of the aforefaid Hugh or his heirs. And if the 
fame Abbot or his fucceffors lofe anything of the fame 30 acres of 
land by default of warranty of the aforefaid Hugh or his heirs, the 
faid Hugh or his heirs fhall make exchange of their land which lies 
on the fide next the faid 30 acres of land on the eaft to the extent 
that they have lofV 

The Abbot of Roche bought land in Stainton of Richard Baret, 
which was confirmed by John, fon of Hugh de Stainton. 

William Wafteneys, of Stainton, gave the monks half an oxgang 
of land here. 

The property of the Abbot of Roche in this place is fuppofed 
to have exceeded 370 acres of wood and pafture. This calculation 
of courfe includes what he had at Lambcote Grange. 

Jbtairfjege see <£fjat£toortfj. 

<£>tan£aL — Among the evidences of Godfrey Higgins, Efq., of 
Skellow Grange, Mr. Hunter found a charter dated 1236, by which 
William Chaworth and William, the fon of Eudo, chief lords of 
Wadworth, declare that they releafe all claims in lands of Sir Jordan 
Fitz-Payne, lord of Stanfal, Wellingley, and Willfic, which the faid 
Jordan has given to the monks of Roche in pure and perpetual 
alms, to wit, from that ditch which lies between Magilldhylls acrofs 
as far as the bounds of Wadworth, and the fee of Wellingley and 
Stanfal, and fo runs from the arable land of Wadworth on the weft 
until it comes oppofite the town of Stanfal on the eaft, lengthwife, 
and from the faid ditch to another ditch which has been made in 
Littlemorye, from the fouth through the whole of that land which 
is in the weftern diftricl: as far as the arable land of Stanfal and the 
bounds of Wadworth. 

Fines, Ebor. 4 John. 



l 9 



""$• 



146 ROCHE ABBEY. 

Jordan Fitz-Payne muft have made this grant before 1 231, as it 
appears among the names of places confirmed to the monks in that 
year by Hen. III. 

JrtitrttJJ, — Gerard de Stirrup gave turbary here before the year 
1 1 86. Stirrup is in Nottinghamfhire, and is not identical with 
Triflrop, as Dr. Burton has it in his " Monajlicon Eboracense." The 
latter place is now called Streetthorpe, and lies near Doncafter. 

In 1276 the Abbot of Roche held twenty acres of meadow and 
a toft and croft in Stirrup of the fee of Tickhill, the former being 
the gift of Hamel de Bugthorpe, in the time of Henry III." 

Robert Burton was bailiff of Stirrup at the diffolution, and 
received from the Abbot 10s. per annum. 

In 1563 Robert de Hitchcock obtained pofTeffion of that 
meffuage in Stirrup in the occupation of Richard More, late 
belonging to the Monaftery of Roche. 

Jjtrccttfyotpe* — At this place, which was formerly called Stire- 
ftorp, Triflrop, and Strifterop, the monks had property of which 
we learn the following from the " Particulars for Grants" : — 

County of York. 

Grantee, Richard Stapleton. 6 Edw. VI. 

All the rents and profits in Streetthorpe, in the County afore/aid, are 

worth in : — 

The rent of one tenement, with all lands, meadows, paflures, 
and commons to the fame belonging, thus demifed to Brian HafHngs, 
of Fenwek, by Indenture under the common feal of the late Monas- 
tery of Roche, freely refigned, dated 24 Jan., in the 24th year of the 
reign of King Henry VIIL, to have to the faid Brian Haflings, 
Elizabeth his wife, and Franc his fon, from the date of the prefents 
to the end and term of their lives, paying thence at the terms of 
St. Martin and Pentecofl equally £2. 6s. Sd. per annum. 

Memorandum. That this particler was delyvered to Sir Brian 
Haftings, knight, the 12th daye of Decembr, 6 Edw. VI., for a 
purchace. 

Ex r - per Willm. Notte, Audit. 

d&trafforti, — The monks paid to the bailiff of the King of the 
wapentake of Strafford 6s. 8d. per annum. 

<Cem}JlebotOUgt). — The Roman encampment known by this 
name, which is fituated on the fouth bank of the Don about half a 



* Hundred Rolls. 



* 



•$• 



THE POSSESSIONS. 



H7 



<& 



mile from Rotherham, came into the hands of the monks of Roche 
in the time of Hen. III. Mr. Hunter found among the Johnfton 
MSS. a charter by which Ralph, fon of Richard de Savile, gave 
with his body to the Abbot of Roche a carucate of land in Brindf- 
worth, which Peveril held, and Templeborough in the territory of 
Brindfworth. Witnefs, Peter de Wadworth. 

Twenty years after the diffolution the property which the 
monks had held here is defcribed in an inquifition of Lionel 
Rerefby, Efq., of Thriberg, as " two mills and twenty acres of 
pafture called Templebarrow, with appurtenances in lkkyls, held of 
the Queen as of her Monaftery of Roche lately diffolved, in focage, 
by fealty and rent of 1 y. ^d. for all fervices and demands." 

CfjoniC. — William gave the monks the tithe of the eels taken at 
his fifhery here, after the full tithe had been taken, which belonged 
to the monks of Lewis. The tithes here were valued at the diffolu- 
tion at £y per annum. 

Cfjroapljam. — The monks held property here at the diffolution. 

(See Laughton.J 

^fjum^COe. — The monks had confiderable property in this place 
before 1 186, the gift of William Vavafor. 

They alfo had two carucates of land in Thurnfcoe, which 
belonged to William Paynel, and which he held in capite of the 
lord the King of the barony of Hooton." 

In 5 John, 1203, there was a fine between Galfred Luterel and 
Frethefant his wife, and Ifabella, lifter of the faid Frethefant, 
plaintiffs ; and Ofmund Abbot of Roche, tenant of twelve bovates 
of land with the appurtenances, in Thurnfcoe. Verdict for the 
Abbot and his fucceffors, fave foreign fervice to the faid Galfred 
and Frethefant and Ifabella, and the fervice to the faid Frethefant, 
which the aforefaid land owes to them. b 

In 20 Hen. III., 1236, there was a fine between William, fon 
of Richard de Barnby, plaintiff; and Robert Luterel, whom 
Reginald Abbot of Roche called to warranty, and who made 
warranty to him of ten meffuages, one mill, and twenty bovates of 
land, with the appurtenances in Thurnfcoe. Verdicl: for Robert 
Luterel. 

Andrew Luterel confirmed all that the monks had in Thurnfcoe. 

In the thirteenth century the monks obtained the two following 
charters : — 



» Hundred Rolls. 



b Fines, Ebor. Augmentation Office. 



c Ibid. No. 134. 



* 



* 



148 ROCHE ABBEY. 

Charter of ftatyf) tie ftainoiile, 

" Know all, &c, that I, Ralph de Rainville, of Thurnfcoe, have 
granted, given, and by this my prefent charter have confirmed for 
the welfare of my foul and thofe of all my anceftors and heirs, to 
God and Saint Mary and the Monks of Roche, the attachment of 
the pond of their mill of Thurnfcoe upon my fee of Holme, in pure 
and perpetual alms, free and quit from all fervice, exaction, and 
demand. And in accordance with which it mail be lawful for the 
faid monks at their will to raife, ftrengthen, repair, and amend the 
faid pond, as they fhall think expedient, and to take land upon my 
fee of Holme as often as fhall be neceflary, without contradiction or 
impediment of me or my heirs, for raifing and repairing the faid 
pond. And I, Ralph, and my heirs will warrant, quit, and defend 
all the aforefaid to the faid monks againfr. all men for ever. 
WitnefTes : Lord Robert de Wykereflay, knight ; Peter de Wadde- 
worth, Thomas de Lafci, Hugh de Lafcy, Wm. de Tatewyc 
(Todwick), ferving man ; Johanna Whiethwait." a 

Charter of i^ugf), gon of ^ugfj £agcp> 

" Know all, &c, that I Hugh, fon of Hugh Lafcy, of Thurnfcoe, 
have granted and by this my prefent charter confirmed to God, 
St. Mary, and the Monks of Roche all the land which my father 
granted to the fame in exchange for ever at Hoxebrigge, and all the 
meadow which they hold of the gift of my father, as his charter 
terrified. Moreover, I have remifed and quitclaimed to the faid 
monks from me and my heirs and affigns for ever all right and 
claim which I had or might have had in the meadow of the afore- 
faid monks, as it is bounded by the ditch before the gate of the 
grange of Thurnfcoe after the manner of a farm or common 
herbage-ground. In fuch fort, however, that if any cattle of thofe 
of my heirs by reafon of a defect in the ditch fhall enter the faid 
meadow we fhall not quarrel about it, and for making greater 
fecurity to the faid monks in all the aforefaid, I have corroborated 
the prefent page by placing my feal. WitnefTes : Jordan, fon of 
Jordan de l'lfle, Jordan de Mar, Adam Paynel, Robert Lafcy, 
Adam de Thurnfcoe, Payn de Mar, Richard de St. Paul, John 
Grimbald." b 

Hugh, fon of Reiner de Darfield, gave the monks an oxgang of 
land here. Richard de Thurnfcoe alfo gave another oxgang of land 
in this place. 

■ Dodfworth's MSS., vol. VIII. fol. 31 b. b Dodfworth's MSS., vol. VIII. fol. 34 a. 
4. — # 



^ __ fa 

THE POSSESSIONS. 149 

In 1 3 16 the Abbot of Roche was certified purfuant to writ 
tefted at Clipftone 5th March, as lord of the townfhips of Arm- 
thorpe and Thurnfcoe, and joint lord of Todwick. The Abbot had 
a charter of free warren here from Richard II. The property 
which the monks had at Thurnfcoe at the diffolution was valued, 
together with $d. perquifites of courts, at £12 10s. Sd. per annum. 

From the following " Particulars for Grants" we learn the 
destination of the monk's property here at the diffolution : — 

County of York. 
Grantees, Doddington and Jack/on. 

Thurnfcoe, Blithefhaw manor, worth in the rent of one parcel 
of land, demifed to John Anne, Efq., by Indenture under the 
common feal of the late Monastery of Roche, as it is faid, to pay at 
the term of St. Martin only $s. 

Memorandum. The premifs are no parcell of the aunchient 
inheritaunce of the crowne, nor of the duchies of Lancaster or 
Cornwall, but came to the Kinge's Majeftie's handes by furrender 
of the faid monaftery. 

23rd Dec, 1559. Jno. GifFord. Per me, Antho. Rous. 

At 28 yeres purchas. 

County of York. 

Grantees, Jno. Wright and Thos. Holmes. 7 Edw. VI 

The Manor of Thurnfcoe is worth in : — 

£ S. D. 

The rent of a grange there, called Thurnfcoe Grange, 

with the appurtenances, thus demifed to Triftram 

Fern, by Indenture under the common feal of the 

late Monaftery of Roche, dated 4 Nov., in the 

year of the reign of the late King Henry VIII., 

for the term of 21 years then next following, 

paying thence at the terms of St. Martin and 

Pentecofl equally 2 o o 

The rent of a meffuage and bovate of land, with the 

appurtenances there, in the tenure of Wm. Ellys, 

paying at the terms aforefaid o 1 3 4 

The rent of a cottage and two acres of land, with the 

appurtenances there, in the tenure of Hugh Ellys, 

paying o 6 o 

Carried over £219 4 

— * 



* 



* 



150 ROCHE ABBET. 



£ s. D. 
Brought forward .... 219 4 
The rent of one meffuage and one bovate of land, 

with the appurtenances there, in the tenure of 

James Ellys, paying 1 6 8 

The rent of one meffuage and one bovate of land, 

with the appurtenances there, in the tenure of 

the faid Hugh Ellys, paying 013 4 

The rent of certain lands there, in the tenure of the 

heirs of — Meres, paying 012 o 

The rent of one cottage, with certain lands belonging 

to the fame, in the tenure of the heirs of Wm. 

Ellys, paying o 7 o 

The woods not valued. Total. . . . £5 18 4 



CfnitstaniantL — Mr. Morehoufe thinks the manor of Thurfton- 
land was given to the monks at the fame time as the advowfon of 
Hatfield by Earl Warren. At the diffolution the annual rents 
amounted to £8 19s. y\d.; Thomas Green being fteward, and 
Henry Gillott, bailiff here, and each receiving 2oj-. per annum. 
The grange of the monks poffeffed a right of ftray and pafturage 
for twenty fheep upon the commons and wafte lands in the lord- 
fhip of Shelley, a privilege which no doubt had been granted by 
one of the early lords of Shelley. 11 

In 1532 John Walker, of Thurftonland, clothier, obtained a 
leafe from the Abbot and Convent of Roche, of lands in Thurfton- 
land, given under the feal of the monaftery. b 

In 1540 the King granted " to John Storthes, of Shyttylyngton, 
gentleman, all his manor of Thurftonland with all his rights, mem- 
bres, and appurtenances, &c, late to the Monaftrye of Roche, and 
now dyffolved, belonging, &c, 'and all other meffuages, houfes, 
byldyngs, mylnes, granges, londs, tenements, meadows, paftures, 
comons, waters, fyffhyngs, lyng, and heth, &c, to hold of the faid 
fovereign lord the King, his heirs and fucceffors in cheff, by the 
fuyt of the xx part of a knight's fee, and yelding, therefore, yerely 
2oj-. to the King's Cort of Augmentacon of the Revenues of his 
Crowne." 

<Cicftl)iH» — In the " Monafticon Anglicanum" we find the follow- 
ing :— 

» Hiftory of Kirkburton. b Ibid. 
^ — * 



.$. . . — .$. 

THE POSSESSIONS. 151 

Charter of aBbmuno tie Hacp. 

" Know prefent and future that I, Edmund de Lacy, conflable 
of Chefler, have granted and by this my prefent charter confirmed 
to God and the Bleffed Mary and the Abbot and Convent of Roche 
of the Ciflercian order, all the gifts and fales made to them in my 
barony of Pontefract, in my constabulary, in my barony of Tickhill 
and in my focage of Snaith, which they held at Eafler, 1258, 
according to the tenure of the charters of the donors and vendors, 
and this conceffion and confirmation I have made to them for the 
welfare of my foul and of my father, John de Lacy, and of Margaret 
my mother, and of Alice my wife, and of all my anceftors and heirs. 
WitnefTes : Adam Abbot of Kirkflal, Sir John de Hoderode, 
fenefchal of Pontefract ; Robert de St. Andrew, John Beke, knights; 
Sir Ofbertus, rector of Silkflon ; Sir Robert de Nottingham, rector 
of Almonbury ; Mr. William de Lichfield, rector of Braiton, and 
many others." 

€in£iep see 3Bine!epe. 

CobiJOtcfe. — The firfl property which the monks had in this place 
was given them before 1 186 by Ralph Tortemayns. This is given 
upon the authority of the "Confirmation of Pope Urban III." In the 
Hiflory of the Manor, written by a monk of Roche, and printed in 
the " Monajiicon Anglicanum" it is Hated that Ralph Tortemayns 
fold to the Houfe of Roche " Little Todwick," and whatfoever 
appertained to it. 

William Tortemayns gave all his wood to the monks with the 
land on which it grew. He alfo confirmed the grant of paflure for 
eight fcore fheep in the common paflure in Todwick. 

Gregory de Todwick and Alice his wife gave two acres of land 
in Todwick with their right to the advowfon of the church of the 
fame place. 

Nicholas de St. Paul confirmed the grant of Gregory and his 
wife, and gave all his meadow lying between his houfe and the road 
towards the north in Todwick. He alfo confirmed the grant of ten 
acres of land and paflure for fixty fheep, given by his father (William 
de St. Paul), and gave all his land between Botyldwellwang and the 
grange towards the north of the way leading from Aflon to Anflon ; 
and on the other fide of the way towards the fouth he gave one acre 
and a half, with paflure for nine fcore fheep in Todwick, together 
with common paflure through his land for all the monks' cattle 
going from Todwick grange. 

•#• — $• 



«&* — $f 

152 ROCHE ABBEY. 

The monk's account, in the document above referred to, of the 
gifts of William and Nicholas de St. Paul, is as follows : — "William 
and Nicholas gave to the Houfe of Roche all their land between 
Botyldewellwange and the Grange, and all lordfhip and fervices 
pertaining to feven bovates of land, and alfo all the land, wood, and 
rent quce dirationavit of Michael de Mawoners." 

In 1 3 16, purfuant to writ tefled at Clipfton, March 5, the 
Abbot of Roche was certified as joint Lord of Todwick. 

All the above gifts were confirmed by Maud de Lovetot. 

<tyatttt of S^attD be Eotetot. 

" To all the fons of the Holy Church prefent and future, Maud 
de Lovetot, formerly wife of Gerard de Furnival, greeting. Be it 
known to your community that I, in my widowhood and in full 
power over my body, have given and by this my charter confirmed 
to God and the Blefled Mary and the Monks of Roche, for the 
welfare of my foul and of my lord, Gerard de Furnival, and of all 
my anceflors and heirs, all the lands in the territory of Todwick, 
with their appurtenances, which Ralph Tortemayns and William 
Tortemayns, and William de St. Paul and Nicholas de St. Paul gave 
to the faid monks, to have and hold, as the charters which they 
have from them teftify. WitnefTes : Robert, parfon of Mifterton, 
fenefchal ; Ralph de Ecclefal, Philip Scrope, Walter de Heyr, Roger 
Whifton, William de Lindrick, Ralph de Bauuent." 

In 1309 King Edward II. granted licenfe to Edmund de 
Waftenays to give and affign twenty acres of land with the appur- 
tenances in Todwick to the Abbot and Convent of Roche, in 
exchange for twenty acres of land with the appurtenances in the 
fame place. 

All the property which the Abbot had in Todwick was granted 
October 15th, 37 Hen. VIII., to William Ramfden and Ralph 
Wyfe, and John and Roger Wyfe, fons of Ralph. It is thus 
described in the grant : — " All that grange of ours (the King's) 
called Todwick Grange, with the appurtenances in Todwick in our 
faid county of York, lately belonging and pertaining to the monaftery 
de Rupe, otherwife called Roche, in the faid county of York, now 
difiblved, and parcel of the pofTeflions lately thereto belonging, and 
all the houfes, edifices, barns, ftables, dovecotes, gardens, orchards, 
lands, meadows, paftures, commons, and hereditaments of ours 
whatever in Todwick and elfewhere, wherefoever in our faid county 
of York, in any way appertaining or belonging to the faid grange, 
called Todwick Grange, or being with the faid grange demifed, let, 

# 



+- 



THE POSSESSIONS. 153 



ufed, or occupied; and alfo all that mefTuage and tenement called 
the Abbot's Houfe? with the appurtenances, now or lately in the 
tenure of Janet Henfrew and Hugh Henfrew of Throapham, 
fituated in the vill of Todwick, in our faid county of York, formerly 
appertaining and belonging to the faid late monaftery de Rupe or 
Roche, and parcel of the pofleffions thereto lately belonging, &c, 
and which faid grange called Todwick Grange and the reft of the 
premifes in Todwick aforefaid now extend to the clear annual value 
of £5 10s. Sd. To have and to hold, &c, rendering from the faid 
grange and the reft of the premifes aforefaid us. Sd. b 

Corfcoortlj. — There was a fine levied at Leicefter the firft Mon- 
day after the feaft of St. Andrew, 10 John (1208) between Ofmund 
Abbot of Roche, petent, and Thomas de Sandal and Matilda his 
wife, fummoned to warrant to the faid Abbot one bovate of land 
with the appurtenances in Torworth, whereof the faid Abbot and 
Convent had the charter of the faid Matilda in thefe words : — 

Charter of &?atiIoa be fl^ole^. 

" Be it known that I, Matilda de Moles, have given and by this 
my charter confirmed to God and St. Mary of Roche and the monks 
there ferving God, one bovate of land with the appurtenances, in 
Torworth ; viz., that which was Alexander Craflis, and one culture 
of land of thirty-eight acres in the territory of the faid town, and 
pafture for a hundred fheep everywhere in the common pafture of 
the faid town, and furthermore all the lands which the men of 
Blythe held of Hugh de Moles, my brother, and afterwards of me 
in the fields of Serlby and Torworth, and all the rents of thofe 
lands, &c." 

From the "Hundred Rolls" we learn that the Abbot had in 
1276 one hundred acres of land of the gift of Hugh and Matilda de 
Moles in the time of King John. 

In 1246 there was a fine levied between "William" Reginald (?) 
Abbot of Roche, petent, and Adam de Holtal and Donyfia, his 
wife, of fix acres of land with the appurtenances in Torworth. 
VerdicT: for the Abbot. 

In the time of Edw. III. the Abbot was fummoned to anfwer 
to the lord the King on the plea by what warrant he claimed to 

» The " Abbot's Houfe" here mentioned ftill exifts, in a ruined condition, in Todwick, and is known 
by the name of the "Old Hall." It is a good fpecimen of early Engliih Domeftic Architecture, and 
well deferving of a vifit. In the wall of the gable on either fide of the chimney is an oval-ihaped 
aperture in the form of a "vefica piscis." At the upper angle of each is carved a beautiful little crofs. 

b I am indebted to W. H. G. Bagfhawe, Efq., of Ford Hall, for thefe particulars. 

•<%r •$• 

ZO 



.$. — — %. 

i54 ROCHE ABBEY. 

hold his lands and tenements in Torworth in free and perpetual 
almoign, free and quiet from all gelds, &c. Verdict, that the Abbot 
for the prefent go thereof without a day, the right of the King 
being preferved. 

In 1552 the property which the Abbot of Roche had poffefTed 
in Torworth was granted to two perfons of the names of Green 
and Hall. 

Particulars for Grants (Grantees, Green and Hall.) 

Parcel of the pojfejjions of the late Monajlery of Roche, in the County 

of York. 

Rents and profits in 'Torworth, in the County of Nottingham, valued in 

s. D. 
The profits of one field called Grangefield there, in the 

tenure of Robert Burton, paying thence per annum . 6 8 
The profits of certain lands there, in the tenure of John 

Newcombe, paying thence per annum o 6 

The profits of certain land there in the tenure of GeofFery 

Bylton, paying thence per annum o 6 

The profits of two acres of land there, in the tenure of 

Carver, paying thence per annum o 3^ 

The profits of three acres of land there, in the tenure of 

GeofFery Darell, paying thence per annum .... o 9 
The profits of three acres of land there, in the tenure of 

William Ingleby, paying thence per annum ... 1 o 
The profits of eight acres of land there, in three parcels, 

in the tenure of Robert Burton, paying thence per 

annum 2 o 

The profits of five acres of land there, in the tenure of 

John Leweftye, paying thence per annum .... 1 3 
The profits of four acres of land there, in the tenure of 

Hugh Thornell, paying thence per annum .... 1 o 
The profits of certain lands there, in the tenure of John 

Smith, paying thence per annum 3 4 

Clear yearly value 17 3* 



Memorandum. The premyfleys are no parcell of anye of the 
Kynge's Majeflye's mannors or lordefhypps, neither do theye lye nye 
anye of his grace's howfes, parkes, foreftes, or chaces ; and thefe 
benne the fyrfte partyculars herof made unto annye perfonne, and 
there ys no more lande in Taworthe belonginge to the late Monaf- 
terye of Roche aforfayde. 

Ex r - 26 Januarii, 1552, per me, Willm. Rygges, Audit. 

•$• — — •%> 



THE POSSESSIONS. 155 

The clere yerelie value of the premifes above 

rememberyd is xvn s - ni d - ob. 

Which rated at xxv yeres purchafe amoun- 

teth to -. xxi 11 - xii s - iii d - ob. 

To be paid within xx dayes nexte. 

The Kyng to difchardge the purchafer of all encumbrances 
except leafes and covenants of the fame. 

The tenure in focage laft part. 

The ifTues from the feaft of St. Michel the Arch. 

The purchafer to be bounde for the valewe of the woodes. 

Thorns. Norwicen. 

At the difiblution the Abbot paid the Prior of Blyth one milling 
per annum for land in Torworth. 

3Bai5ft)ort|). — Reginald Gurvy de Tickhill quitclaimed all his 
right in the mill at Wadworth. 

Maud, relict of Matthew de Tickhill, gave two acres of land here. 

Eudo, fon of Godfrey de Wadworth, gave lands to the monks in 
Wadworth, and confirmed what Maud, relicT: of Matthew de Tick- 
hill, had given them. 

Peter de Wadworth gave the monks forty-fix acres of his wood- 
land lying on the weft fide of the wood extending from the weft 
field of Wadworth to the north. He alfo gave three oxgangs of 
land on the north fide of the north field ; thirty-five acres and one 
rood in the weft field ; and thirty-nine and a half acres and half a 
rood in the eaft field, in confideration of eighteen marks lent to him 
by the Abbot of Roche in his great neceflity, and alfo of fifty marks 
which he owed, and which the faid Abbot paid to Aaron the Jew, 
at York, and his brother. The witnefies to this deed were Ralph 
de Normanville, knight ; Reginald de Kettleburgh, John de Arm- 
thorpe, H. de Bilham, Alexander de Stubbs, Peter de Rofiington, 
Peter de Letwell, Ingeram de Stirap, Otho, fon of Mo. de Wilghefich 
(Wilfick), Adam Leming, and others. 

Stillingflete 's " Abftracl of the Acquittance of the 'Jews'' is as 
follows : — " The charter of Aaron, fon of Jofey, and of Leo, bifhop, 
and of Samuel, his fon, Jews of York. Be it known to all the 
faithful of Chrift, &c, that Peter de Wadworth and his heirs are 
acquit, &c. Moreover, be it known that we have quitclaimed to 
the Abbot and Convent of Roche three oxgangs of land and forty- 
fix acres which they have of the gift of the faid Peter, &c. In 
witnefs whereof we have put hereto our Hebrew letter and our 
feals." 



•#• — & 

156 ROCHE ABBEY. 

The monks did this good act to their old benefactors, the 
Wadworth family, in the time of Henry III., during whofe reign 
Peter de Wadworth lived. 

William, fon of John de Vavafour, quitclaimed in 1277 all his 
right in wards, efcheats, &c, in Wadworth. 

The monks held what they pofTefTed in this place up to the 
time of the difTolution. 

UBalKCringfjam. — The monks had considerable property in 
Walkeringham, Lincolnfhire, particulars concerning which may be 
feen in the following : — ■ 

Confirmation of &ing <£btoarti !!♦ of Iano£ in fMncringljam.' 

" The King to all to whom, &c, greeting. 

" The grant, gift, and confirmation which Henry, fon of Richard 
de Walkeringham, by his charter made to the monks of Roche of 
two tofts, S5I acres of land, and n^ acres of meadow, with the 
appurtenances in Walkeringham, and of a certain plat of land with 
the Walcre, and of all the pafture which belongs to that bovate of 
land of the faid Henry, which is called Wlger-oxgang, everywhere 
in the whole common pertaining to the vill of Walkeringham ; 

" The grant, alfo, and gift, and confirmation which the faid 
Henry by another charter which he made to the faid monks of one 
plat of land, with the appurtenances, in the aforefaid vill of Walcre, 
and two bovates and feven acres of land and meadow, with the 
appurtenances in the aforefaid vill of Walkeringham ; 

"The gift, grant, and confirmation which Richard, fon of 
Henry, fon of Richard de Walkeringham, by his charter made to 
the faid monks of all that plat of land, with the appurtenances, in 
the faid vill of Walkeringham, and with all things contained within 
the faid plat, which he recovered from the faid monks before the 
juflices fitting at Nottingham ; 

" The grant, alfo, confirmation, and quitclaim which the faid 
Richard by the fame charter made to the faid monks of all rents, 
lands, poffeflions, meadows, paftures, tenements, homages, fervices, 
wards, reliefs, and efcheats, with all liberties and eafements which 
they had by the gift and fale of the faid Henry his father; 

" The grant, moreover, gift, and confirmation which Adam, fon 
of William de Walkeringham, by his charter made with the afore- 
faid monks of one toft with the appurtenances, in the faid vill of 
Walcre, and with the paffage to the faid toft pertaining, and of 38 

a Pat. 6 Edw. II. pars. 2. M. 7. 
# * 



•$•- 



THE POSSESSIONS. 



*57 



acres and one rood of land and meadow with the appurtenances in 
the aforefaid vill of Walkeringham ; 

" The grant, alfo, gift, and confirmation which Henry, fon of 
Robert Arnewy of Walkeringham, by his charter made to the faid 
monks of 5 roods and one felion a of land, and of all the land which 
the faid Henry had at Frithefend, and of all the paflure which 
belongs to a half bovate of land, with the appurtenances in the whole 
common of Walkeringham ; 

" The grant, gift, and confirmation which Henry, fon of Robert, 
fon of Arnewy of Walkeringham, by his charter made to the afore- 
faid monks of all his land in Upper Walton, and of three felions and 
two acres of land, with the appurtenances, in the aforefaid vill of 
Walkeringham, and of all the meadow which the faid Henry had in 
Monkeboye ; 

"The grant, alfo, gift, and confirmation which Henry, fon of 
Robert Maumirr of Walkeringham, by his charter made to the 
aforefaid monks of three acres and a half of meadow and the mediety 
of one rood of meadow with the appurtenances in the faid vill of 
Walkeringham, and of all the paflure which pertains to the mediety 
of one bovate of land everywhere in the whole common of the faid 
vill of Walkeringham ; 

" The grant, moreover, and confirmation which the faid Henry 
by the fame his charter made to the aforefaid monks of all that 
culture in the field of Walkeringham, with all its appurtenances, 
which the faid monks have of the gift of Roger, the chaplain. 

" The remiffion, alfo, and quitclaim which the faid Henry by the 
fame charter made to the faid monks of a certain yearly rent of \d. y 
which the faid monks ufed to pay the faid Henry for the culture 
aforefaid ; 

"The grant, moreover, gift, and confirmation which the faid 
Henry by the fame charter made to the aforefaid monks of the 
homage and whole fervice of Henry, fon of Ifabella, and his heirs, 
which the faid Henry, fon of Ifabella, was wont to render to the 
aforefaid Henry, fon of Robert, for the whole tenement which he 
held from the fame in Walkeringham, and alfo of 1 z\ acres of land 
and feven roods of meadow, with the appurtenances in Walkering- 
ham ; 

" The grant, moreover, and confirmation which Adam, fon of 
William de Walkeringham, by his charter made to the aforefaid 
monks of 4 acres of meadow at Drengefflete, which they had of the 
gift of Roger de Ofberton, of the fee of the faid Adam ; 

* A ridge of land lying between two furrows, uncertain in quantity. 
«$• ' — — — __^j, 



•$• •$• 

158 ROCHE ABBET. 

" The grant, alfo, gift, and confirmation which the faid Adam 
by the faid charter made to the faid monks of the whole fervice of 
Geoffery de Fulham and his heirs, which the faid Geoffery ufed to 
do to him for a certain particle of land in a place which is called 
Morfurlung, and alfo of one toft, with the appurtenances, in 
Schepewykes, and of three acres and a half of land and meadow, 
with the appurtenances in Walkeringham ; 

" The grant, gift, and confirmation which Geoffery, fon of Alan 
de Trent, by his charter made to the aforefaid monks of thirty acres 
and a half of land and meadow, with the appurtenances, in Walker- 
ingham, with the homage of Walter de Mifterton and his heirs, 
and all the fervice which he owed to him for two acres of land in 
Colmanhaghe, and alfo of the whole paflure which belongs to the 
mediety of one bovate of land everywhere in the whole common of 
Walkeringham, and all the fervice of Geoffery Fulholm and John, 
fon of Roger, and their heirs ; 

"The grant, moreover, gift, and confirmation which the faid 
Geoffery by another charter made to the aforefaid monks of four 
acres and one felion of land and three roods of meadow, with the 
appurtenances, in Walkeringham, and of all his meadow which he 
had at Helpol and Monkebothe and in the meadows of Walkering- 
ham; 

" We, holding thefe ratified and granted for us and our heirs, as 
much as in us lies, to our beloved in Chrift the Abbot and Convent 
of the place aforefaid and their fucceffors, grant and confirm as the 
aforefaid charters reafonably teftify. In witnefs, &c, witnefs the 
King at Canterbury, 20th day of May, by fine of ten marks." 

The monks had two pieces of meadow in Walkeringham from 
Robert de Ripers, for which they had to pay William de Walker- 
ingham 6d. per annum. 

King Henry VIII. by his letters patent, dated nth November, 
1544, granted to Sir Richard Lee, knight, and his heirs, the grange 
and farm of Walkeringham, with all the lands, meadows, and 
paftures late belonging to the Monaftery of Roche. 

3BaUiltgfcDdl£» — f Nottingham/hire. J — The monks had property 
here at the diffolution. At this place was a Houfe of Benedictine 
Nuns, founded about the fame time as Roche. Its inmates confifled 
at the diffolution of a Priorefs and eight profeffed. 

IBatdp. — The name of this place occurs in the " Confirmation 
of King Henry III." 1231, as one in which the Abbot of Roche 
had property. 



-* 



THE POSSESSIONS. 159 



UMimglep. — Robert Fitz-Payne gave lands, and Jordan Fitz- 
Payne paftures, in this place. King Richard I. confirmed to the 
monks the grange of Wellingley, and from that time up to the 
dhTolution it feems to have continued in their poffeflion. 

Witkttglcp. — Richard Fitz-Turgis de Wickerfley, one of the 
founders of Roche Abbey, gave the monks fifty loads of wood out 
of his wood in Wickerfley." 

IBil^icft. — Jordan Fitz-Payne gave the monks land in this place. 

IBindcp. — In Stephens' continuation of the " Monaflicon Angli- 
canum" the following charter occurs : — 

Charter of Waittt %hbat ano tf)e Contoott of ftorfje. b 

" Know, prefent and future, that Walter Abbot and the Convent 
of Roche have granted and by the prefent charter confirmed to 
Robert, fon of Roger de Tinfley, for his homage and fervice two 
bovates of land, with the appurtenances, in the vill of Wineley, 
which he had of the gift of Walter his brother, to have and to hold 
to him and his heirs of the faid Abbot and Convent of Roche freely 
and quietly, paying thence per annum to the faid Abbot and Convent 
of Roche eight millings in the grange of Roche, to wit, four millings 
at Pentecoft and four {hillings at the feaft of St. Martin in the 
Winter, for all fervice fave foreign, as far as belongs to two bovates 
of land of the faid fee in the faid vill. With fuch underftanding, 
however, that the faid Abbot and Convent are not bound to make 
warranty of the feoffament of the faid land to the faid Robert or his 
heirs. In witnefs whereof the faid Abbot and Convent and the faid 
Robert to the parts of this charter have alternately fet their feals. 
WitnefTes : Johann de Stevinton (Swinton ?) * * * Robert 
Bruerton, Peter de Lettewell, Galfrid de Helgheby. 1260." 

(Much obliterated, and the Seals lo/l.J 

Owing to the obliterated condition of the original charter when 
this tranfeript was made, it is probable that the miftake of writing 
"Wineley" for "Tinfley" has occurred. This alfo is the opinion of 
learned topographer, Samuel Mitchell, Efq., of Sheffield. 

tBintettom — Winterton, in Lincolnfhire, is mentioned in the 
" Confirmation of King Henry III" as one of the places in which 
the monks had property. Whatever it confifted of it feems to have 
remained in their hands up to the time of the difiolution, when it 
was valued at £1 is. per annum. 

a See page 5. b Tranfeript in the pofleiTion of Sir W. Calverlay, Bt. 



*$•" 



^.- _____ , .$. 

1 60 ROCHE ABBET. 

3Bhltcringf)attl. — Hamelin Bardolph and Katherine his wife, and 
Robert, fon of Eudo, gave the monks land in this place, which 
Hugh, fon of Ralph Bardolph, confirmed. Winteringham is fituated 
in Lincolnihire, about three miles north of Roxby Grange. At the 
diffolution what the monks had here in pafture was valued at 10s. 
per annum. 

iU^ptorigttlortfj. — This place is mentioned in the " Confirmation of 
King Henry III." as one of the places in which the monks had 
property. 

3Bootil}Ott£e £$iIL — The Abbot of Roche received £1 qs. per 
annum rent from the mill called " Wodhoufemyll." 

^f orft* — Agnes, the Priorefs of the Convent of St. Clement, at 
York, granted to the monks a certain piece of land leading from 
their orchard to the river Oufe, for which they paid £3 fterling. 

4B>bIatiou£, 3tlm£, etc. 

The oblations amounted at the diffolution to £ 1 per annum. 
This fum was diflributed yearly at the Supper of the Lord. The 
fum of jT 1 gs. per annum was expended in burning wax daily 
before the altar of the foundation of Richard Furnival, and $s. was 
given yearly at the celebration of the obit for the foul of Thos. de 
Bella Aqua. 




mm W r ' 



«$■ — ■ — ■ i — •$• 



■$* 



0>{f ^pr|ifFrfnpf, 

d5onasfir ©uiftings, anb fljrip JRpmains. 



* _ $. 



21 



*- 



& 




i^^p^i 




:^5f^Si 




^iMtw 




mm\ 


i 



HE architectural peculiarities and beauties of Roche 
Abbey have, until lately, been either mifreprefented 
or neglected altogether. Not long fince it was 
common for hiftorians to devote nearly their whole 
attention to the pofTeffions and genealogies of per- 
fons, and to content themfelves with defcribing any 
buildings they might meet with, as of the earlier 
or later Gothic periods. Thanks, however, to the publication of 
books of found information on the fubject, and to the eftabliuhment 
of Archsological and Architectural Societies, the public have become 
more converfant with Architecture, and the pleafures of this mag- 
nificent art are now widely enjoyed. In proof of the ignorance we 
have mentioned, let any one take up a book defcribing the ruins of 
Roche Abbey Church twenty years ago. He will, almoft certainly, 
find the two eaft walls of the tranfepts pointed out as the remains of 
the nave. 

But beiides being mifreprefented by the pen, the architecture of 
Roche has received even worfe treatment from the pencil. Draw- 
ings and engravings of the ruins may be met with, which can only 
be recognized by exerciling the moft vivid imagination and by refer- 
ring to the name infcribed below. Round arches are pointed, and 
pointed arches are rounded. Windows are turned into doors, and 
doors into windows. In fact every fort of liberty is taken, including 
the rounding of the fquare abacus. But the artift has had to move 
on, as well as the topographer. Photography has appeared, and put 
to fhame the clumfy daubs of former years. The difficulty of getting 
an exact reprefentation of a building no longer exifts. The moft 
delicate and minute work may now be copied with marvellous 
exactnefs and eafe. Photography gives us the form of arches, 
capitals, and mouldings ; the pofition of every ftone, beauty, flaw, 
crack, and ftain. 



•fr- 



H$. _ jfy. 

164 ROCHE ABBEY. 

It is left only to the imagination to obtain any idea of what the 
general appearance of the Abbey muft have been, before it was "put 
to the fpoil." (See p. 91.) We have the evidence, however, of 
William, Earl of Warren, who in 1345 admiring the magnificence 
of the ftone work as well in the buildings of the faid Abbot and Con- 
vent, as in their Monaftery, made the monks a confiderable grant. 
We have alfo the evidence of Cuthbert Shirebrook, who fays that 
the Abbey at the time of its difTolution " was a very fair builded 
houfe, all of freeftone ; and every houfe vaulted with freeftone and 
covered with lead." And we have fufficient frill {landing to prove 
how extenfive and how beautiful the whole muft have been : at all 
events we have every reafon to be pleafed with what remains, when 
we remember, that the only fragment left of Newminfter Abbey, the 
Mother of Roche, is the north door. 

In 1776, Mr. Brown, the landfcape gardener, committed fuch 
havoc in the way of pulling down and covering up, that nothing 
lefs than an extenfive difinterment can enable us to difcover how 
much of the ruins of Roche remain underground. Mr. Gilpin 
gives us an account of thefe operations ; " thefe ruins " he fays, " and 
the fcenery around them were in the roughefr. flate, when Mr. Brown 
was employed to adorn them. He is now at work ; and has nearly 
half completed his intention. This is the firft fubjedt of the 
kind he has attempted. Many a modern place he has adorned 
and beautified : but a ruin presented a new idea ; which I doubt 
whether he has fufRciently confidered. He has finifhed one of the 
vallies which looks towards Laugh ton fpire: he has floated it with a 
lake, and formed it into a very beautiful fcene. But I fear it is too 
magnificent and too artificial an appendage, to be in unifon with the 
ruins of an Abbey. An Abbey, it is true, may fland by the fide of 
a lake ; and it is poffible, that this lake may, in fome future time, 
become its fituation; when the marks of the fpade and the pickaxe 
are removed — when its ofiers flourifh ; and its naked banks become 
fringed and covered with wood. In a word, when the lake itfelf is 
improved by time, it may fuit the ruin, which ftands upon its banks. 
At prefent the lake and ruin, are totally at variance. Mr. Brown is 
now at work in the centre part of the three vallies, near the ruin 
itfelf. He has already removed all the heaps of rubbifh, which lay 
around ; fome of which were very ornamental; and very ufeful alfo 
in uniting the two parts of the ruin. They give fomething too of 
more confequence to the whole, by difcovering the veftiges of what 
once exifted. Many of thefe scattered appendages alfo, through 
length of time, having been covered with earth, and adorned with 



^ — — ^5, 

THE ARCHITECTURE, &c. 165 

1 

wild brufhwood had rifen up to the windows, and united the ruin to 
the foil on which it flood. All this is removed : a level is taken, and 
the ruin ftands now on a neat bowling green, like a houfe juft built, 
and without any kind of connection with the ground it ftands on. 
There is certainly little judgment fhewn in this mode of improve- 
ment. The charaffer of the fcene is miftaken. If Mr. Brown 
mould proceed a ftep further — pull down the ruin and build an 
elegant manlion : everything would then be right, and in its proper 
place. But in a ruin the reigning ideas are folitude, negleff, and 
defolation"* As Mr. Gilpin predicted, time has done a great deal, 
towards rendering Mr. Brown's work more in keeping with the ruin. 
All true lovers of Architecture will, neverthelefs, always deplore the 
pulling down of detached fragments, and the heartlefs covering up 
of the ground plan, which we know ftill exifts in great perfection. 
And for the prefent, we muft content ourfelves by hoping that the 
noble owner will, ere long, enhance a hundred-fold, the intereft of 
the lovely ipot he has the privilege to poflefs, by lifting the dark 
veil of earth which has for a century hidden from all eyes innumer- 
able objects of intereft and beauty. 

Whatever may be the truth of the legend which attributes to 
Durandus a fuperftitious motive, in choofing the fite for his Abbey, 
we have abundant proof, that there were not wanting many fub- 
ftantial reafons to confirm him in his felection. Among thefe may be 
mentioned, not only the beauty of the fituation, for beautiful it muft 
ever have been, from its natural combination of rock, wood, water, 
and meadow, even before it had received the attentions of Mr. 
"Capability" Brown ; but alfo its complete feclufion from the outer 
world. Thus rendering it peculiarly fuited to the requirements of 
the ftern and rigid rule of the order of its occupants, one of whofe 
fpecial principles it was, in the felection of fites for their houfes, 
that "they mould never be conftructed except in places feparated 
from all converfe and neighbourhood of men." b In both thefe 
refpects it bears a ftriking refemblance to the parent Abbey of 
Fountains, as it does alfo with regard to another erTential circum- 
ftance to an eftablifhment of this kind, namely, an abundant fupply 
of clear and excellent water. A further inducement to the monks 
to fettle in this choice fpot muft have been the exiftence here of a 
fplendid building ftone, beautiful in colour, eafily worked, and yet 
very durable, as is fufficiently teftified by the admirable ftate of pre- 
fervation in which the remains of the Abbey Church continue to 

a Pi&urefque Beauty, vol. i. page 21. 
b Ciftercian Rule quoted by Mackenzie E. C. Walcott, in his " Church and Conventual Arrangement," 

from Had. MS. 3708, f. 18. 

•£. ' «$• 



«$• — — •$• 

1 66 ROCHE ABBEY. 



this day, notwithstanding their expofure to the weather for fo many 
centuries. The reputation, indeed of the Roche Abbey quarry, has 
long been widely fpread, and fo highly is it now efteemed, that when 
the new houfes of parliament were about to be built, and fearch 
was made throughout the country, for the belt materials for that 
purpofe, the (tone from this quarry was one of thofe ordered to be 
examined and reported upon. 

It is evident, therefore, that thefe early Ciftercians exercifed no 
ordinary degree of judgment, no lefs than of tafte, in felecting this 
place as the lite of their future Abbey. And here, no doubt, they 
commenced as foon as their circumftances would permit, the erection 
of their conventual buildings. Thefe, in all probability, may have 
been at firft of a temporary character, until increafing wealth and 
profperity enabled them, in that refpect, to rival their parent and 
kindred houses of Fountains and Kirkftall, as feems to have been the 
cafe when Roche was brought to its full maturity and perfection. 

As, it has been obferved, the monadic remains of Roche Abbey 
are, at leaft as to what is viiible above ground, of fo limited an ex- 
tent, it muft be left very much to conjecture to determine what the 
buildings were when entire. Yet fortunately, our conjectures here 
need not be of a vague and wholly uncertain character. For, it is 
a well afcertained fact, that the arrangement of inftitutions of this 
kind, very much followed an eftablifhed plan. And it is upon record 
as regards thefe Ciftercian monafteries that they were, as far as cir- 
cumftances permitted, built according to a fixed rule. We conftantly 
read in the accounts which are preferved in the " Monajlicon 
Anglicanum" refpecting the eftablifhment and the erection of the 
buildings of the monafteries, which were derived from the great 
Abbey of Fountains, that this was done " de more" — according to 
eftablifhed cuftom, or "fecundum formam ordinis," — according to the 
form of their order. Now, though the remains here are certainly 
fcanty, and thofe of the immediately parent Abbey of Newminfter 
are reduced to the fmalleft fragment, yet in the kindred monafteries 
of Fountains and Kirkftall they are very ample. And from thefe 
we may, with confiderable confidence, form an opinion as to what 
the general arrangement muft have been at Roche. 

From thofe examples then, as well as from others, we learn that 
the main offices of the Abbey were erected round a cloiftered court, 
of which the nave of the church formed the northern fide. That 
on the eaftern fide of the quadrangle were found, beyond the fouth 
tranfept of the church, firft an apartment, which appears to have 
been a veftry, communicating with the church by a doorway, which 

«$, — «$• 



«$. — ^. 

THE ARCHITECTURE, &c. 167 

yet remains at Roche. Beyond this veftry, was the chapter-houfe, 
which in the early times of the erection of thefe abbeys, i. <?., in the 
1 2th century, is always found in the parallelogram form: and of this 
building again, veftiges have been dilinterred here fufficient to verify 
this ftatement. On the fame fide of the court at Kirkftall are two 
vaulted apartments, the ufe of which is not very obvious ; they are 
dark and dreary, and perhaps may have been places of confinement 
for refractory monks, or poilibly merely ftorehoufes. It feems not 
improbable that fomething of the kind exifted alfo at Roche, as the 
length of this fide, as indicated by a corner mafs of mafonry ftill 
remaining, muft have afforded confiderable fpace beyond the chapter- 
houfe. At the fouth-eaft, no doubt, there would be alfo a pafTage. 
On the fouth fide of the court would, almoft certainly, be found the 
Refectory, with its accompanying offices, as buttery, kitchen, &c. 
The weft fide of this court would, no doubt, be occupied by a large 
apartment, extending its whole length, and perhaps even beyond it, 
to the fouth, as is the cafe at Fountains, where it is ftill pretty per- 
fect, and was alfo the cafe at Kirkftall, as is plainly fhown by the 
veftiges which remain there. This noble apartment would reft upon 
an undercroft, as in the examples juft referred to, having a groined 
roof fupported in the centre by a row of pillars. At Fountains the 
length of this erection, built at two different periods, is not lefs than 
300 feet; of that at Kirkftall about 175 feet. The upper chamber 
formed one of the dormitories in thefe Abbeys ; for from the early 
account we have of Kirkftall, preferved in the " Mon aft icon Afigli- 
canwn" it is evident there were two dormitories erected from the 
firft foundation of the monaftery, "utriimque dormitorium, monachorwn 
fcilicet et ccjiverforum" i.e., one for the monks and the other for the 
lay-brethren. And the fame was probably the cafe alfo at Fountains 
and at Roche. On the weft fide of the cloifter court, we may con- 
clude, was the dormitory of the lay-brethren, a portion of which, 
feparated from the reft, may have formed the fleeping apartment of 
other dependents of the monaftery, who no doubt were numerous, 
as the Ciftercians were great agriculturifts; 3 and alfo occafionally, at 

* It is remarked refpe£ting the Benedictines, of whom the Ciftercians were a reformed and ftriiter branch, 
in Stephenfon's Introduction to " Chronicon Monafterii de Abingdon," publifhed under direction of the Mafter of 
the Rolls, that " Benedict thought it good that men Ihould be daily reminded that in the fweat of their face they 
fhould eat bread, and day by day they toiled in the field, as well as prayed in the church. After having been pre- 
fent at the fervice of Prime, the Monks affembled in the chapter-houfe, each individual received his allotted ftiare of 
work, a brief prayer was offered up, tools were ferved out, and the breihren marched two and two, and in filence, 
to their tafk in the field. From Eafter until the beginning of October they were thus occupied from fix o'clock in 
the morning until ten, or fometimes till noon. Befides the monks, lay-brethren and fervants were engaged, who 
received payment in coin. And as by degrees more land was brought into tillage than the monaftery needed, the 
furplus was leafed out to lay occupiers. Thus each monaftery became a centre of civilization, and while the rude 
chieftain, intent on war or the chafe, cared little for the comfort either of himfelf or his retainers,, the monks be- 
came the fource, not only of intellectual and fpiritual light, but of phyfical warmth and comfort, and houfehold 
bleffings." 

i 

— . 4, 



1 68 ROCHE ABBEY. 

leaft, of ftrangers. To this latter conclufion we feem led by the fad: 
that at Fountains, where this part of the Abbey is found in a more 
perfect ftate than it exifts elfewhere, one accefs is gained to this 
dormitory by a flight of fteps placed on the outjide of the cloifter 
court. The dormitory of the monks, there feems little doubt, was 
an apartment which ranged over the chapter-houfe and other build- 
ings on the eaftern fide of the court, and from this apartment 
accefs was gained to the choir of the church by a doorway opening 
upon a flight of fteps within the fouth tranfept. Thefe fteps ftill 
remain at Fountains and Kirkftall, or at leaft the inclined plane on 
which they flood. And we may conclude that a fimilar arrange- 
ment exifted at Roche, as we may obferve that here a doorway, 
already referred to, leading from the fouth tranfept into the veftry, is 
not placed in the centre of this wall, but, as is alfo the cafe at 
Fountains and Kirkftall, confiderably to the eaft fide, in order, no 
doubt, to give room for the ftaircafe. 

Judging from the fragments of mafonry which ftill remain and 
which appear to have formed the boundaries of the cloifter court, 
its dimenfions were about 180 feet on the eaft and weft fides, and 
125 feet on the north and fouth. 

Beyond the court on the fouth-eaft it is evident that extenfive 
buildings exifted. A confiderable block of mafonry ftill remains at 
the diftance of about 90 feet to the fouth of that, which we may 
fuppofe formed the fouth-eaft corner of the court, and which has 
been already alluded to. This mafonry, it is probable, marks the 
boundary of the buildings in that direction. Here very likely may 
have been the Locutorium or monk's parlour, and to the eaft of 
this, the refidence of the Abbot. This appears to have been the 
arrangement at Kirkftall : and there the foundation of a rather large 
building has been recently laid bare, to the north of what we may 
fuppofe to have been the Abbot's lodge. The plan of this building 
has been verv much that of the nave of a church with a middle 
alley feparated from aifles by an arcade of four arches on each fide. 
It ftood eaft and weft, and had two entrances on each fide of the 
latter end : it alfo fhows veftiges of three, if not four, fire places. 
It feems probable that this was the Infirmary of the Abbey, as fuch 
was the ufual arrangement of this monaftic appendage. It is not 
unlikely that at Roche alfo the infirmary may be looked for in this 
direction, it being the ufual one, although at Fountains it has been 
thought to have ftood over the river immediately to the weft oi the 
great dormitory. 

There is another confiderable block of mafonry remaining here, 

•#• * 



-♦ 



THE ARCHITECTURE, &c. 169 

which ftands to the fouth-eaft of the fites juft referred to. This is 
faid to be a fragment of the Abbey mill, and near it, befide the foot 
bridge, down in the bed of the ftream, may be obferved a beautiful 
Early Englifh light cluftered column. Again, to the fouth-weft of 
the cloifter court, there appear to have been other conliderable build- 
ings, the foundations of which it is ftated, in dry feafons may be 
obferved extending beyond the ftream. It is probable that the 
Hofpitium or gueft houfe of the Abbey may have ftood here. 

The Abbey Gatehoufe, of which there are considerable remains 
of great intereft, will be defcribed more at large hereafter, ftands 
at fome diftance to the north- weft of the church. 

Such appears to have been the general arrangement of the mon- 
aftic buildings at Roche. But their relative pofition and the plan 
of the whole Abbey precincts, together with its boundary wall, of 
which traces ftill remain, will be better underftood by reference to 
Plate I. 

The principal, indeed as already intimated, almoft the only remains 
of this once extenfive Abbey, are thofe of the church and the gate- 
houfe, both of which are of great intereft and excellence. Thefe we 
will endeavour now to defcribe and to point out their architectural 
features. 

%\}t Cfjttrdj. 

The church, when entire, muft undoubtedly have been a very 
beautiful and noble ftructure, extending in length more than 200 feet, 
and having a breadth at the tranfepts of about 1 00 feet. Perhaps 
we may form the beft idea of what it muft have prefented to the 
eye, by vifiting the church of Kirkftall, which it certainly much re- 
fembled in its general plan and architectural character, though 
apparently a few years later in date. Kirkftall Abbey church, with 
the exception of a breach made on the north lide by the fall of a 
portion of its tower, and the lofs of fome of its roofs, happily 
remains entire and unaltered, with very flight exceptions, as it came 
from the hands of its original builders. And a more noble and im- 
preftive Structure it is fcarcely poflible to enter. It is true that it 
exceeds the church of Roche by about 20 feet in length, and in 
breadth of tranfept by about 1 8 feet. Still there having been the 
fame number of arches on each fide of the nave, the fame bold 
lofty tower arches, arcades, and groined aides, the general effect muft 
have been very fimilar in both examples. 

The ground plan of both thefe churches is that of a crofs, with a 



*$* 



22 



-•$* 



i ;o ROCHE ABBET. 



tower at the interfection, The naves were fpacious and lofty, the 
tranfepts without aifles, but having chapels on their eaftern fides, 
here two in each tranfept, while at Kirkftall there were three ; with 
fhort eaftern limbs or ftructural choirs. (See Plate II.) The 
naves had each an arcade of eight arches with aifles, which no doubt 
here, as at Kirkftall, were groined. This alfo may have been the cafe 
with the nave itfelf, although it was not fo at Kirkftall ; and in that 
example neither the tower area nor the tranfepts appear to have been 
vaulted over, while at Roche fuch vaulting evidently exifted, as mav 
be feen from the fhafts and fpringers which ftill remain. In both 
cafes the choirs were groined over. 

Of the noble church of Roche, as already intimated, only the 
eaftern fides of the tranfepts, with a portion of their chapels and of 
the choir ftill remain. But thefe are fufficient to give us a knowledge 
of what the general architecture of the building muft have been, 
and to enable us to fix its date with tolerable precifion. 

As regards what remains of the tranfepts, we have on each fide 
two beautifully proportioned pointed arches of three orders, they 
reft upon bold cluftered piers, with a vaulting (haft between them 
of the pointed boutell form, as are alfo the fhafts which fupport 
the forrits of the arches, while the intermediate ones are either fquare 
or of the torus form. The form of the arches is that termed by 
Rickman the "drop arch," a the centres being found within the width 
of the arch. They are alfo (lightly ftilted, their mouldings are 
formed of the pointed and round boutell ufed in alternation ; and the 
abaci of the capitals are fquare, with a rather deep-cut moulding. 
Above the points of the arches is a bold ftringcourfe, pafling round 
the vaulting fhafts, and alfo round the pier of the central tower. 
Upon this ftringcourfe is an arcade of blank pointed arches, two over 
each principal arch ; thefe are perfectly plain and devoid of orna- 
ment or fhafts, having only the jambs (lightly chamfered. Above 
thefe again is another ftringcourfe upon which, in each compart- 
ment, ftands a round-headed window, alfo perfectly plain but having 
a dripftone. Above this fixing are the fpringers of the groined 
roof, which was evidently of very bold and good character: the 
diagonal ribs refting upon corbels which terminate in a conical 
form, and having capitals (lightly enriched with foliage. 

The arches of the tranfepts, as already intimated, opened into 
chapels, of thefe, thofe on the fouthern fide are ftill entire, while 
thofe on the north are moftly in ruins. They feem to have been 

■ Afcertained by actual meafurement, but only In a /light degree, and from the faft of the arches being 

ftilted, a lofty character is given. 

•$• •$• 



•#» — — ^. 

THE ARCHITECTURE, &c. iji 

divided by a wall, raifed only a few feet from the floor, and not as 
at Kirkftall, reaching to the roof. The moft fouthern of the chapels 
has a round-headed window on its fouth fide, beneath which is a 
pifcina alfo with a circular head. And there can be no doubt that 
fimilar windows were originally found on the eaftern fides of both 
thefe chapels, as well as of thofe in the north tranfept. Here, how- 
ever, it is evident, that thefe original windows were fuperfeded by 
infertions of larger dimenfions, of the 14th century. A fufficient 
portion of the tracery of that next the choir ftill remains to afford 
pretty certain evidence of what the window was when entire. This 
will be found reprefented in Plate VII. fig 12. It feems very pro- 
bable that one of thefe chapels was dedicated to the Virgin, and that 
in it was interred Matilda of York, Countefs of Cambridge, who 
died A. d. 1 440, having in her will directed that her " body be 
buried in the monaftery of Roche, in the chapel of the bleffed Mary, 
before her image, fituated in the fouthern part of the church of the 
faid monaftery." She alfo directs that " there lie over her grave a 
ftone of alabafter, raifed aloft after the manner of a tomb, with an 
effigy." a It feems, very probable, that the figure of the noble lady 
may have refted on the wall, which divides the chapels : no other 
fite being apparently available, for a tomb of fuch character, in areas 
of fuch limited dimenfions as thefe chapels are. In fupport of this 
conjecture too, it is obfervable that the ftone adjoining the central 
pier is cut away as if to receive the head of a figure. 

The northern chapels feem altogether to have refembled thofe on 
the fouth fide : in the one next the choir is a pifcina like that in the 
fouth chapel, and round its arch and in the neighbourhood of it, are 
lines marked in a light red colour, with further plain indications 
that the ftone work was alfo marked out in black lines. Thefe are 
drawn upon a very thin coating of plafter, or rather of whitewafh, 
which may be found alfo in other parts of the building. b Thefe 
chapels were all groined over, and had bofles at the interferons of 
their ribs, fome of which ftill remain. 

The eaftern limb or ftructural choir of the church, as already 
ftated, is of fhort dimenfions, extending in length only about 37 feet. 
It is without aifles or communication with the chapels. In thefe 
refpects it agrees with the nearly coeval choirs of Kirkftall and Louth 
Park, and alfo with the original one at Fountains, which, however, 
was rebuilt, on a very enlarged plan, about a century after its firft 

a See p. 58. 

b It was not uncommon, in early times, to whitewafli the walls of churches, thus we are informed that in 
12 14, Robert de Lindfey, Abbot of Peterborough, " dealbavit" (whitewafhed) the choir of that church. 

^ _ ^ 



■$• : * 

172 ROCHE ABBEY. 

erection. In all thefe cafes the chorus cantorum, or choir for divine 
fervice, extended under the central tower, and probably a compart- 
ment or two beyond it. That fuch was the cafe at Fountains may 
be feen from the foundations of the flails which yet remain there. 

The eaftern limb at Roche has had triple fedilia on the fouth 
fide, which appear to have been furmounted by lofty canopies. 
Thefe have entirely vanifhed : they appear not to have been original, 
but to have fuperfeded fedilia under a nngle circular arch, as at Kirk- 
ftall, indications of fuch arch being here frill difcernable. To the 
eaft of thefe a plain niche of parallogram form contains a pifcina, and 
probably alfo a lockyer. On the north fide oppofite the fedilia, are 
the remains of very rich canopied work of lofty dimenfions. It is 
of the Decorated period, and may have been an Eafter fepulchre, or 
perhaps a tomb of fome benefactor.* To the weft of this is alfo a 
mallow niche, alfo canopied, but of lower dimenfions. This choir 
was lighted by round headed windows to the north and fouth, in the 
part which extends beyond the chapels, in three ftages : in the 
weftern part, in the clereftory only. Beneath thefe, ftanding on 
a bold ftring, are two blank arches on each fide, at the triforium 
ftage, fimilar to thofe in the tranfepts, but fomewhat richer, having 
fhafts at their angles and moulded edges. 

There is no means of determining what the arrangement of the 
eaft end was, as it has been entirely demolifhed. The choir was 
groined in two compartments, with quadripartite vaulting, the 
tranfverfe rib in the middle refting on pointed fhafts, which defcend 
below the triforium ftringcourfe and terminate in conical fhaped 
corbels, whofe capitals are enriched with foliage. The diagonal ribs 
are fupported by fimilar corbels. 

Of the nave of this fine church, as already ftated, very little now 
remains vifible : though, doubtlefs, the whole of its bafement lies 
buried beneath the foil, having been thus concealed by the levelling 
fyftem of Mr. " Capability" Brown. The weft end has, however, 
of late years been uncovered, and this, together with the fragments 
of three of the piers, enables us to determine its extent and the 
character of its architecture. (See Plate II.) Its length was 126 
feet 6 inches, and, as we before faid, it had an arcade of eight arches 
on each fide, with fide aifles. Its breadth was 30 feet 1 inch, that 
of its aifles, 1 4 feet 6 inches. The piers confifted of groups of eight 

* Idonea de Vipont grand-daughter and heirefs of Richard de Bufli, the co-founder of Roche Abbey, gave 
with her body, to this houfe, the Manor of Sandbeck, and thus became a great benefaftrefs. (See p. 140.) It is 
probable, therefore, that me would be buried in a place of fpecial honour, near the high altar. May not this have 
been her tomb? She died A.D. 1241. Though certainly the canopy work appears of fomewhat later date. 

-* 4 



& 



THE ARCHITECTURE, &c. 



J 73 



•$• 



pointed boutells : whereof four were principal ones, and the re- 
mainder, placed in the angles, of fmaller dimenfions. The diameter 
of the piers was five feet. Their form will, probably, be more eafily 
underftood from the accompanying plan of their horizontal fection, 
than from the more elaborate figure contained in Plate V, fig. i. 






There can be little doubt, judging from the remains of the 
tranfepts, that the piers and arches of the nave were very lofty and 
graceful in their proportions, and muft have formed a very noble 
ftrufture. The aifles were, moft probably, vaulted, but as regards 
the nave itfelf, it may, perhaps, be queftioned whether fuch was the 
cafe. We have no means of determining, with certainty, what was 
the arrangement of the upper ftories. Very likely, however, the fame 
general plan was followed as is found in the tranfepts and choir, 
namely, that of blank-arched triforium arcades, with fingle clere- 
ftory windows above. 

From the excavations made at the weft end, it is evident that the 
church was entered here by three portals : in this reipect differing 
from the examples of Fountains and Kirkftall, which have each only 
one weft doorway. The central and principal portal at Roche was 
of three orders, with nookfhafts, the bafes of which have fmall foot 
ornaments. The fide doors feem to have been plainer. 

The walls of the weft end were about fix feet in thicknefs. 

As regards the ftyle of the architecture and the date of this fine 
church, it has been already ftated that it is of the character which is 
denominated Tranfitional Norman, which prevailed during the 
latter half of the 12th century. Of this ftyle, however, there are 
feveral phafes : fhewing a gradual advancement from the pure 
Norman, till we arrive at the perfect Early Englifh. A finer example 
of the earlier work of this period cannot perhaps be anywhere 
found than that which has already been fo frequently alluded to, the 



♦ 



* 



•$♦ ■ ■ -♦ 

1 74 ROCHE ABBEY. 

church at Kirkftall. There we have, with the exception of the 
pointed arches of the principal arcades, a perfect Norman building, 
mowing in its mouldings, capitals and other features, fcarcely a 
veftige of the following ftyle. In that cafe we know from the 
records, which have been preferved to us, that the church was begun 
foon after the fettlement of the monks there in 1152, and that the 
work was carried on and completed at the fole expenfe of the great 
patron of that houfe — Henry de Lacy. It was therefore, doubtlefs, 
erected earlier in the hiftory of the convent, more continuously, and 
in a lhorter period than that in which fuch large flructures are 
ufually brought to a conclufion : while for the mofr. part fuch exten- 
five operations lag, or are for a time altogether fulpended from 
infufficency of funds. 

As regards this church of Roche, we have no reafon to fuppofe 
that the brethren were lb favourably circumftanced : for although 
their patrons gave them lands, and granted them permiflion to erect 
their monaftery on which fide of the water they pleafed, we hear 
nothing of their having borne the expenfes of the buildings. It 
mull, therefore, have been a confiderable number of years before 
they were able to undertake the erection of fo noble a church, having, 
doubtlefs, had to content themfelves, like the parent houfe of 
Fountains, for fome time, with a much more humble oratory." And 
this view of the cafe before us, is found exactly to accord with the 
architectural features of the remains of the church, no part of 
which, it is believed, can be affigned to a date earlier than about the 
laft ten years of the 1 2th century. It feems, moft probable, that it 
was erected during the Abbacy of Ofmund, under whofe long, 
able, and active rule the houfe feems efpecially to have profpered and 
increafed in wealth and pofTemons, and who obtained for it both 
from Pope Urban III and from Richard I, as well as from the 
Countefs of Eu, the great fuperior lady of the Tickhill fee, under 
which the land was held, confirmations of all its pofTemons and 
privileges. This Abbot prefided over the convent from a.d. 1 1 84 
to a.d. 1223. 

The church, there is little doubt, was, according to the ufual 
cuftom, commenced at the eaft end : and here, accordingly, we find 
marks of the earlieft character, fuch, for inftance, as a mixture of 

a We read alfo with refpedt to the monks who were fent out from Fountains to eftablifh a monaftery at 
Barnoldfwic, (afterwards removed to Kirkftall,) that the Abbot of the parent houfe, erected for them there, in the 
firft inftance, " humble offices, according to the form of their order." " Et miffis fratribus officinas humiles erexit 
fecundum forman ordinis." Monasticon Anglicanum, vol. v. p. 531. 

Again, as relates to Kirkftall itfelf, it is recorded. "Abbas itaque — bafilican erigit in honore matris Dei 
femper virginis. Et difpofitis exordine humilibus offkinis monafterium fuum mutato nomine Kirkeftall nominavit. 
An. Dom. MCLII. Ibid. 

* ■ ' ^ ^ 



<& _^ 

THE ARCHITECTURE, &c. i 75 



the round and pointed (hafts in the piers, with fquare edges at the 
angles : while the mixture entirely difappears when we get to the 
weft of the croffing, where all the mafts of the pillars have affumed 
the pointed form. But even with regard to the earlieft part, the 
tall and graceful proportions of the piers and arches, the lofty form of 
the latter, the pointed panelling of the triforium ftory, and the length 
and narrownefs of the round windows, together with the character 
of the vaulting ribs and mafts, forbid our placing it early in the 
tranfitional period, which makes the iimplicity and fe verity of its 
details the more remarkable, though ftrictly in accordance with the 
Ciftercian rule. 

%\fr #at£lj0ltS£. 

The only other considerable remain of the Abbey buildings, is 
a portion of the Gatehoufe. This is lituated at fome diftance to the 
north-weft of the church. The lower ftory of this ft.ruc~t.ure alone 
is preferved, which bears a considerable refemblance to the Gate- 
houfe at Workfop Priory, and does not appear to differ much from 
it in date, both being of the Decorated period : and may be affigned 
to the early part of the 14th century. In one point the gateway of 
Roche does not refemble that of Workfop, inafmuch as it has a 
ftone groined roof, while in the latter example, there is a beautiful 
original one of wood. This gateway is divided into two principal 
compartments of equal magnitude, being feparated by the arch in 
which the gate hung, which had a fmaller portal on the north fide 
of it. Each of thele compartments had others, into which they 
opened at their fides, all thefe varying in dimenfions and the whole 
remaining perfect, with the exception of the one at the fouth-eaft 
angle, of which the greater part has perifhed. The compartments 
which remain are all groined over, having very bold diagonal and 
tranfverfe ribs, the edges of which are merely chamfered. The ribs are 
fupported by conical fhaped corbels, and in the principal interfections 
have carved bolfes. In the north-weft corner of the inner com- 
partment is a ftone newell ftaircafe, which led to the upper ftory. 
At the fouth-weft angle of the gatehoufe externally, there appears 
to have been a confiderable mafs of mafonry, which poffibly may 
have fupported a ftaircafe communicating with the outfide, like the 
one at Workfop. The archways to the eaft and weft are fimilar, 
each being about 1 5 feet in width, having obtufely pointed arches 
of three orders, the edges of which are merely chamfered, and are 
fupported by (hafts, which have plain capitals and bafes. The 



•§* 



176 ROCHE ABBET. 

eaftern view of this building is given in Plate XIII; its ground plan 
Plate XIV ; and the details of its architectural features in Plate XV. 
There can be little doubt that this gatehoufe, when perfect, was a 
very fine building, exhibiting a noble limplicity and maffivenefs of 
ftructure, as may be inferred from what ftill remains, efpecially from 
the groined roof which is of a moil: marked character, and well 
worthy of obfervation. 

The {tables and farm buildings of the abbey, were probably to 
the north of the gatehoufe, on the lite where offices of the fame 
character ftill remain. 

An ancient key of copper, and various fragments of ornamental 
itonework have been from time to time diiinterred, and doubtlefs 
an ample crop of fimilar objects ftill lie buried beneath the foil. 
Reprefentations of fome of thefe will be found in Plates XI and XII. 
Efpecially a fragment (Plate XL fig. 1.) which contains a capital of 
a fhaft of the great weft door-way. Attention muft alfo be called 
to the dedication crofs, which is incifed on the wall on the left fide 
of the weft door-way within, a reprefentation of which forms the 
tailpiece to this fection. 

There is a large octagonal bafin lying near the bridge which 
leads to the lite of the mill. It has a hole through the centre of its 
bottom, and probably may have been for a fountain in the middle 
of the cloifter court. 

There are wells of beautiful water on the premifes, efpecially 
" the Ladies' Well," or rather, molt probably, " the Well of our 
Lady," which is fituated a fhort diftance from the fite of the abbey 
court, though acrofs the ftream. 

A great variety of mason's marks may be found in different parts 
of the buildings. Such as have been obferved are given in Plate IX. 
as they may probably be of ufe, to thofe who are defirous of in- 
veftigating that interefting fubject. 

Such are the only vifible remains of the once noble and exten- 
five Abbey of Roche. It muft doubtlefs, when in its entire ftate, 
have prefented a molt ftriking and impremve effect to the fpectator, 
when entering into its precincts, through the gatehoufe, extending 
as it did quite acrofs the valley, and being flanked on the northern 
fide by its fine and lofty church. So extenfive were its buildings 
that it feems evident even in the days of John, Earl of Warren, 
in the early part of the 14th century, it had out-grown the 
requirements of its inhabitants. 11 Or rather, perhaps, we mould 
say, that the number of its monks had dwindled down confiderably 

a See p.p. 51, 1 12. 
♦ ♦ 



«$• «$• 

THE ARCHITECTURE, &c. 177 

from what they had been in earlier times. For it is truly furprif- 
ing to contemplate the rapid increafe of this order of Ciftercians, 
on their firft eftablifhment, during the former half of the 12th 
century. This will be more clearly feen by reprefenting the matter 
in the tabular form of a pedigree, with the dates of the feveral 
ou ndations of Fountains and its offfhoots, thus : — 

Fountains Abbey, founded ad. 1132. 

1 1 -| n 1 ■ 1 1 

Newminfter, Kirkftead, Louth Park, Woburn, Barnoldlwick, Lifa, in Norway, 

f. AD. II39. f. A.O.I I39. f. AD. II39. f. A.D.I I45. f. A.D. II47, f. A.D. II52. 

removed to 
Kirkftall 1 1 52. 



~~ r 1 1 — 1 

Pipewell, Salley, Roche, Betham, Melfoe or 

f. A.D. I I43. f. A.D. I 147. f. A.D. 1 147. f. C. A.D. 1 147, MeaUX, 

removed to f. a d. i i 50. 

Vallis Dei, 

or 

Vaudry in Co. 

Lincoln, 1150. 

Such was the extraordinary rapidity with which the fame of the 
piety of the early Ciftercian brethren attracted numbers to their 
fociety, who flocked to their houfes " as doves to the windows." 
And not only did their numbers thus marvelloufly increafe, but their 
worldly poffemons multiplied in like manner: and the great addition 
to their earthly wealth, no doubt, was attended with much of its 
ufual confequences, a departure from the primitive fimplicity and 
rigid piety of their order, and the introduction of an amount of 
laxity and luxury which the early Ciftercians fo earnestly efchewed. 
This increafing worldlinefs would naturally produce its ufual effect, 
the fervour of men's love towards the order, began fhortly to abate, 
and inftead of the wonderful increafe in the number of members 
and of houfes, which attended their firft introduction into the 
country, after the three earlier quarters of the 1 2th century, the 
foundation of an additional monaftery was of very rare occurrence. 
Inftead of " the good feed," as the early chroniclers of the order 
boafted, " taking root and bringing forth an abundant harveft " 
throughout the land, it would feem, that ere long, the blade began 
to wither away, till, at the time of the great cataftrophe, the number 
of the monks of thefe vaft eftablifhments had dwindled to a com- 
paratively fcanty body, no more than eighteen brethren having been 
found here at the dilfolution, and only about twice that number in 
the far larger parent Abbey of Fountains. At the kindred Abbey 
of Louth Park, Lincolnihire, another ofHhoot from Fountains, we 
are informed by Tanner, that in the reign of King Henry III there 

«$. •$. 

2 3 



178 ROCHE ABBEY. 

were no fewer than fi.xty-.iix monks and one hundred and fifty con- 
versi or lay-brethren, while at the time of the diffolution there were 
not above twelve religious in that houfe. Truly thefe eftablifhments 
had out-lived their day : and in their cafe was ftrikingly verified the 
dictum which comes to us from the higheft authority, " Now that 
which decayeth and waxeth old, is ready to vanifh away. J ' a 

Before taking leave of thefe interefting ruins and their beautiful 
environs, it would be ungrateful not to offer a tribute of thanks to 
the noble family within whole domains they are fituated, for the 
kind privilege which has long been fo freely granted to the public 
to vifit them. It is indeed a rich treat, not only to the Archasologian 
and Architectural ftudent, but to every perfon who can at all take an 
intereft in what is beautiful in rural fcenery, to fpend a few hours in 
this choice retreat. And it is probable that there are few perfons 
refiding within many a mile of this spot, or who have ever vifited 
the neighbourhood, who have not, at one time or other, enjoyed 
the calm and tranquil pleafure of a brief fojourn here: and who will 
not efteem the day as one to be marked with the whiteft ftone, 
which has been spent, it may be in the fociety of friends who have 
now parTed away, in a fummer's ramble among the rocks, and " the 
high woodlands, which crown this happy valley," or in. the enjoy- 
ment of a quiet, or, it may, be a feftive hour, on the foft green 
fward, amidfl fair Roche's 

cc White walls and filver springs." 

a Heb. viii. v. 13. 




«$• «$• 



•§*- 



-* 



jUllfifii&fl, 



*■ 



•$• 



.$. 



-* 




a jflora of Itotjr* mu& 



HE situation of Roche Abbey is on the magnesian limestone, in 
a beautiful valley, bounded on the north by a range of per- 
pendicular rocks, and on the south by the " King's Wood." 
Its fine carboniferous soil, its lake and waterfalls, its old stone 
quarries and rich banks, unite such a variety of favourable conditions that 
a Local Flora, worthy of notice, may reasonably be expected. 




Ranungulace^e. 

R. ficaria. Little celandine, or pilewort. 
R. acris. Upright crowfoot. 
R. repens. Creeping crowfoot. 
R. bulbosus. Bulbous crowfoot. 
R. arvensis. Corn crowfoot. 
Tlialictrum minus. Meadow rue. 
Helleborus viridis. Green hellebore. 
Aqnilegia vulgaris. Columbine. 

Berberidace^e. 

Berberis vulgaris. Barberry, in Kings- 
wood and Hedges towards Tickhill, 
abundant." 

* Barberry used to grow commonly in hedges 
on the Abbey side of Tickhill ; in the same neigh- 
bourhood mildew and blight on the cereals were 
usually mischievous, and the farmer naturally 
thought that barberry was the cause. A high botan- 
ical authority ridiculed the idea, on the ground that 
the blight on barberry (aecidium) was so different a 
vegetable to the (ustilago) on barley, or (tilletia) on 
wheat, that barberry could not be the cause. But 
facts prove that the spores of fungi, mixed up with 
the dust of the atmosphere, do mischief both to 
plants and animals, and we know the spores of one 
fungus stimulate the growth of the spores of 
another; we also see daily one fungus parasitic on 
that of another, and often a third upon that. It is 
therefore probable that the spores of the fungus on 
barberry, blown immediately on the wheat when in 
a moist condition, with rain or dew, would poison 
the juices of the plant, and so by weakening it, 
would render it an easy prey to the unwelcome 
parasites of mildew and blight. 



CRUCIFER.E. 

Arabis hirsuta. Rock cress. 
Thlaspi arvensc. Penny cress. 
Capsella bursa-pastoris. Shepherd's 
purse. 

OSTACE.E. 

Helianthemum vulgarc. Rock rose. 

VlOLACE/E. 

Viola odorata. Sweet violet. 
V. canina. Dog violet. 

Caryophyllace^e. 
Lychnis flos-cuculi. Ragged robin. 
L. githago. Corn cockle. 
Stellaria ncmorum. Wood stitchwort. 

LlNACEA. 
Linum catharticwn. Purging flax. 

Malvaceae. 
Malva sylvestris. Wild mallow, 

Tiliace.e. 
Tilia europcea. Lime-tree. 

HYPERICACEjE. 

Hypericum perforatum. St. John's wort. 
H. montamim. Mountain St. John's 

wort. 
H. pulchrum. Lesser St. John's wort. 



«fr- 



♦ 



♦ 



■♦ 



l82 



ROCHE ABBET. 



Geraniace^e. 

Geranium pratcnse. Crane's bill. 
G. columbinum. Purple Crane's bill. 

Celastrace^e. 
Euonymus curopceus. Spindle-tree. 

Rhamnace^e. 
Rhamnus catharticus. Buckthorn. 

LEGUMINOS/E. 

Ononis arvensis. Rest harrow. 
O. campestris. 

Trifohum repens. White clover. 
T. pratense. Purple clover. 
Medicago sativa. Lucerne. 
M. maculata. Spotted trefoil. 
Ulex europceus. Furze, whin, gorse. 
Sarothamwis scoparius. Broom. 
Onobrychis sativa. Saintfoin. 



Vicia sylvatica. 



Climbing vetch. 
ROSACE/E. 



Primus communis. Blackthorn." 
P.padus. Bird cherry. 
Spircea ulmaria. Meadow sweet. 
Alchemilla vulgaris. Ladies' mantle. 
A. arvensis. Parsley piert. 
Agrimonia eupatoria. Agrimony. 
Geum urbanum. Avens. 
G. rivale. Water avens. 
Rubus idceus. Raspberry. 
Fragaria vesca. Wood strawberry. 
Poterium sanquisorba. Burnet. 
Potentilla fragariastrum. Cinquefoil. 
P. Tormeutilla. Tormentil. 
Rosa canina. Dog rose. 
R. inodora. Slightly-scented sweet- 
briar. 
Pyrus aucuparia. Mountain ash. 
P. makes. Crab tree. 
Crataegus oxyacantha. Hawthorn. 

ONAGRACEiE. 

Epilobium angustifolium. Willow herb. 
Cirecza lutetiana. Enchanter's night- 
shade. 
Hippuris vulgaris. Mare's tail. 

CUCURBITACE.E. 
Bryonia dioica. Red briony. 

Araliace^e. 
Hedera helix. Ivy. 



CORNACEyE. 
Coruus sanguinca. Cornel or dogwood. 

Umbellifer^e. 

Sanicula europcea. Sanicle. 
Angelica sylvestris. Angelica. 
Hcracleum sphondylium. Hog weed. 
Daucus carota. Wild carrot. 
Conium maculatum. Hemlock. 
Bunium flexuosum. Earth nut. 
JEthusa cynapium. Fool's parsley. 

Saxifragace^e. 

Chrysosplenium altemifolium. Golden 
saxifrage. 

Caprifoliace^e. 

Sambucus nigra. Elder. 
Viburnum lantana. Wayfaring tree. 
Lonicera xylosteum. The fly honeysuckle 

RUBIACE.E. 

Galium aparine. Goose grass or bed- 
straw. 
G. erectum. Upright bed-straw. 
Asperula odorata. Sweet woodruff. 

VALERIANACE.E. 
Valeriana officinalis. Valerian. 
V. dioica. Small marsh Valerian. 

Composite 
Chichorium intybus. Endive succory. 
Apargia liispida. Hawkbit. 
Tragapogon pratensis. Goat's beard. 
Carduus arvensis. Thistle. 
C. pratensis. Meadow thistle. 
Arctium lappa. Burdock 
Gnaphalium sylvaticum. Cudweed. 
Erigeron acris. Fleabane. 
PyretJirum parthenium. Feverfew, 
Artemisia vulgaris. Mug wort. 
Anthemis arvensis. Chamomile. 
Achillea ptarmica. Yarrow. 
Chrysanthemum leucanthemum. Ox- 
eye daisy. 
C. segetum. Corn mangold. 

Ilicace^. 
Ilex aquifolium. Holly. 
JASMINACE.E. 

Ligustrum vulgare. Privet. 
Fraxinus excelsior. Ash. 

Apocynace^e. 
Vinca minor. Periwinkle. 






* 



♦ 



*- 



A FLORA. 



•§• 



■8 3 



Gentianace^e. 

Chlora pcrfoliata. Yellow wort. 
ErytJircea centaurium. Centaury. 

CONVOLVULACE.E. 

Cuscuta curopcea. Dodder. 
Convolvulus arvensis. Bindweed. 

SOLANACE^E. 

Solanum dulcamara. Bitter sweet. 

Atropa belladonna, used to grow abun- 
dantlyabout Firbeck churchyard and 
Hyoscyamus niger at Stone, both have 
disappeared from the locality. 

SCROPHULARIACEvE. 
Euphrasia officinalis. Eyebright. 
Scropludaria nodosa. Figwort. 
Vcrbascum thapsus. Mullein. 

Orobanchace^e. 
Lathrcza squamaria. Tooth wort. 

Labiate. 

Mentha sylvestris. Horse mint. 
M. arvensis. Mint. 
Thymus se7pyllurn. Wild thyme. 
Origanum vulgare. Marjoram. 
Ballota nigra. Stinking horehound. 
Lamium amplcxicaule. Dead nettle. 
Nepcia glechoma. Ground ivy. 
Symphytum officinale. Comfrey. 
Cynoglossum officinale. Hound's tongue. 

Primulace^e. 

Auagallis arvensis. Pimpernel. 
Primula vulgaris. Primrose. 
P. vcris. Cowslip. 
P. elatior. Oxlip. 

PLANTAGINACE.E. 

Plantago media. Plantain. 

P. lanccolata. Ribbed plantain. 

POLYGONACE.E. 

Rumex piratc7isis. Meadow dock. 
R. acctosclla. Sorrel. 
Polygonum bistorta. Bistort. 
P. persicaria. Spotted persicaria. 

Thymelace^e. 
Daphne laurcola. Wood laurel. 

EUPHORBIACE.E. 

Euphorbia exigua. Spurge. 
Mcrcurialis pcrennis. Dog mercury. 



URTICACE/E. 

Humuhis lupidus. Hop. 
Urtica 7irens. Nettle. 
U. dioica. Great nettle. 

Ulmcae^:. 

Ulmus montana. Witch elm. 
U. subcrosa. Common elm. 

AMENTIFERiE. 



A In us glutinosa 



Alder. 
Betula alba. Birch. 
Carpinus betulus. Hornbeam. 
Quercus robur. Oak. 
Fagus sylvatica. Beech. 
Corylus avcllana. Hazel. 
Populus 7iigra. Black poplar. 
P. tremula. Aspen. 

Conifers. 

Pinus sylvestris. Fir. 
Taxus baccata. Yew. 

TAMACE.E. 
Tamus communis. Black bryony. 

Hydrocharidace^;. 

Anacliaris alsinastrum. Water thyme. 
This plant first appeared in the waters 
at Roche, about 1865; we noticed it 
in several places growing with great 
freedom, about half-a-century ago, 
and then it disappeared as mysteri- 
ously as it came. 

TRILLIACE.E. 

Paris quadrifolia. Herb paris. 

ORCHIDACEiE. 

Orchis pyramidalis. Tall orchis. 

O. macidata. Spotted orchis. 

Spiranthes autumnalis. Lady's tresses, 
on the old quarry spoil banks, oppo- 
site the farm house, from the high 
road down to the Abbey. 

Ncottia nidus-avis. Bird's-nest orchis. 

Listcra ovata. Twayblade. 

Ophrys apifcra. Bee orchis. 

O. muscifcra. Fly orchis. 

Amaryllidace^e. 
Narcissus pseudo-narcissus. Daffodil. 
LlLIACEiE. 

Convallaria majalis. Lily of the valley. 



♦ 



■* 



* 



i8 4 



ROCHE ABBET. 



Melanthace^e. 
Colchicum antiimnale. Colchicum. 

Arace^e. 

Arum macidatum. Wake robin. 

Juncace^e. 

Juncus conglomerates. Rush. 
J. lamprocarpus. Rush. 
Luzula pilosa. Wood rush. 

Cyperace^e. 

Carcx digitata. Sedge. 

C. fulva. Tawny sedge. 

C. distans. Distant spiked sedge. 

C. riparia. Great common sedge. 

GRAMINACEyE. 

Phalaris arundinacea. Tall canary- 
grass. 
A nthoxanthum odoratum. Sweet vernal 

grass. 
Phleum pratense. Catstail grass. 
Alopecur us pratensis. Foxtail grass. 
A. agrestis. Slender foxtail grass. 
Agrostis canina. Bent grass. 
A. vulgaris. Common bent grass. 
A. alba. Fine bent grass. 
Holcus lanatus. Soft grass. 
H. mollis. Yorkshire fog. 
Aira ccespitosa. Turfy hair grass. 
A.flexuosa. Wavy hair grass. 
A . precox. Early hair grass. : 
Trisetum flavescens . Yellow oat grass. 
Avcna fatua. Wild oat. 

Meadow oat. 
Annual meadow grass. 

Smooth meadow grass. 
Rough meadow grass. 
Meadow grass. 
Quaking grass. 

Dogstail grass. 
Cocksfoot grass. 



A . pratensis. 
Poa annua. 
P. nemoralis, 
P. trivialis. 
P. pratensis. 
Briza media. 
Cy no sums cr is tat us 
Dactylis glomerata. 
Festuca ovina. Sheep's fescue grass. 
F. sylvatica. Wood fescue grass. 
F. gigantea. Tall fescue grass. 

F. pratensis. Meadow fescue grass. 
Bromus erectus. Upright brome grass. 

B. asper. Rough brome grass. 
B. sterilis. Barren brome grass. 
Brachypodium sylvaticum. Wood brac- 

hypodium. 
B. pinnatum. Upright brachypodium. 
Triticum caninum. Dog wheat. 



T. repens. Creeping dog wheat. 
Hordeum sylvaticum. Wood barley. 
H. pratense. Meadow barley. 
Lolium perenne. Rye grass. 
L. italicum. Italian rye grass. 

EqUISETACE^E. 

Equisetum arvense. Horse tail. 

Filices (Ferns). 

Ophioglossum vulgatum. Adder's tongue 

Polypodium vidgarc. Polypody. 

Polystichum lobatum. Shield fern. 

Lastroea filix-mas. Male fern. 

Anthyrium filix fcemina. Lady fern. 

Scolopendrium vulgare. Hart's tongue. 
A few years back, in an old quarry, 
on the East side of King's Wood, 
this sportive fern altered from the 
common form of two heart-shaped 
lobes at the bottom of the frond, to 
one long lobe, full two inches, at a 
right angle from the mid-rib; the 
following year it returned to its nor- 
mal form. 

Aspleuium trichomanes. Spleen wort. 

A.adiantum-nigrum. Black spleen wort. 

A. ruta-muraria. Wall rue. 
Pteris aquilina. Brake. 

Musci (Mosses). 

A}icectangium ciliatum. Hoary-branched 

beardless moss. 
Bryum ligulatum. Thyme thread moss. 

B. argenteum. Silver thread moss. 
B. palustre. Marsh thread moss. 
Dicranum bryoides. " Lesser fork moss. 
D. squarrosum. Drooping leaved fork 

moss. 

D. scoparium. Broom fork moss. 

Didymodon purpureus. Purple twin- 
toothed moss. 

Encalypta vulgaris. Common extin- 
guisher moss. 

Diphyscium foliosum. 
bladder moss. 

Funaria Jiygrometrica. 
cord moss. 

Fontinalis antipyrctica. 
water moss. 

Grimmia pulvinata. Grey cushioned 
grimmia. 

Gymnostomum ovatum. Hairy-leaved 
beardless moss. 



Leafy double- 
Hygrometric 
The greater 



•$•- 



-«§► 



•$•- 



-•$• 



A FLORA. 



185 



Rambling mountain feather 



Plumy-crested feather 



Gymnostomum microstomwn. Small 

mouthed beardless moss. 
Hypnum alopccurwn. Foxtail feather 

moss. 
H. commutation. Curled fern feather 

moss. 
H. cuprcssiforme. Cypress-leaved 

feather moss. 
H. loreum 

moss. 
H. molhiscum 

moss. 
• H. polyanthus. Many-fruited feather 

moss. 
H. purum. Neat meadow feather moss. 
H. rutabulum. Rough-stalked feather 

moss. 
H. sc/ireberi. Schreberian feather moss. 
H. se'riceum. Silky feather moss. 
H. tenellum. Tender awl-leaved feather 

moss. 
H. triquctrnm. Triangular-leaved 

feather moss. 
H. velutinum. Velvet feather moss. 
Ortlwtriclmm affine. Pale straight 

leaved bristle moss. 
Polytrichum aloides. Aloe leaved hair 

moss. 
P. commune. Common hair moss. 
Tortula nivalis. Great hairy screw moss. 
T. viuralis. Wall screw moss. 
T. subulata. Awl-shaped screw moss. 
T. rigida. Rigid (aloe-like) screw moss. 
Weissia calcarea. Calcareous Weissia. 



Marchantiace^e. 

Marchantia polymorpJia. Common 
liver-wort. 

JUXGERMAXXIACE^E. 

Jungennannia asplenioides. Spleenwort 

scale moss. 
Alicularia scalaris. Ladder scale moss. 
Scapania nemorosa. Wood scale moss. 
Madotlicca plaiyphylla. Flat-leaved scale 

moss. 

LlCHEXES. 

Borrera tenella. 
Callema nigrum. 
Chroolepsus aureum. 
L epraria Jlava. 
L. alba. 



L epraria viridis. 
Lecidea parasemia. 
L. rupestris. 
L. tihnacola. 
L. quernea. 
L . ferrug incce. 
Lccanora albella. 
L. vitclllna. 
Opegrapha atra. 
O. scripta. 
O. vulgata. 
O. rufescens. 
O. elcgans. 

Parmelia omphalodes. 
P. pulverulcjita. 
P. olivacea. 
P. parietina. 
Peltidea canine. 
Pamaliua fraxinia. 
R. fastigiata. 
Scyphophorus pyxidatus. 
Spiloma nigrum. 
TJielotrema lepadinum . 
Verrucaria epidermis. 
V. cinerea. 
V. gemmata. 
V. nigrescens. 
Variolaria faginea. ■ 
V. discoidea. 

Fungi. 

Agaricus cccilicz. 

A. excelsus. 

A. rachodes. 

A. vaginatus. 

A. mellcus. 

A. imbricatus. 

A. nudus. 

A . infundibuliformis:.. 

A . fusipes. 

A . personatus. 

A. dryopJiilus. 

A. stipitarius,. 

A. radicatusc. 

A . galopus. 

A' iris. 

A. viitis. 

A. vulgaris sty lobar cs. 

A. speciosus. 

Ay mutabtlis 

A . fastigiatus. 

A. trechisporus. 

A . crustuliniformis. 

A. longicaudus. 



*$* 



24 



•*•- 



-* 



i86 



ROCHE ABBET. 



Agariais scmiorbicularis. 

A.Rubi. 

A. mclinoidcs. 

A. campestris. 

A. arvensis. 

A. cretaceus. 

A . fascicularis. 

A. velutinus. 

A . fimiputris. 
ALcidium berberidis. 
JE. compositarum. 
JE. crassum. 

JE. violcz. 
Aregma bulbosum. 
Bolbitius tener. 
Boletus parasiticus. 

B. edulis. 

Bulgaria sarcoides. 
B ovist a nigrescens. 

B. plumbea. 
Clavaria amethystina. 

C. rugosa. 

C. umbrina. 

Coprimes atramentarius. 
Cortinarius callochrous. 
Dothidea bet u Una. 

D. ulmi. 

Ergot. Common on the cock's foot 

grass. 
Hirneola auricula-Judce. 
HygropJwrus distans. 
H. eburneus. 
Lactarius insulsus. 
L. piper atus. 
L. serifluus. 
Lycoperdon ccelatum. 
L. giganteum. 



Lycoperdon pyriforvic. 
Marasmius urens. 
M. pcrotiatus. 
M. oreades. 
M. insititius. 
M. rotula. 
M. graminum. 
Morchella esculenta. 
Nyctalis parasitica. 
Paxillus involutus. 
Peziza aurantia. 
P. coccinea. 
Phallus impudicus. 
Polyporus lentus. 
P. spumeus. 
P. ulmarius. 
P. vulgaris. 
P. betulinus. 
P. sqtiamosus. 
P. velutinus. 
P. versicolor. 
Rhytisma acerinum. 
R. punctatum. 
Russula heterophylla. 
R. virescens. 
R. nitida. 
R. alutacea. 
Sphceria berberidis. 
S. bombarda. 
S. confluens. 
S. innumera. 
S. ceuthosporoides. 
S. mamceformis. 
Thelephora terrcstris. 
T. versicolor. 
Xylaria hypoxylon. 




% 



~^r 



«{g. — — . 

ADDENDA. 187 



In addition to the Notices of Grants of the Monaftic property of Roche 

given in the text, the following appear in the "Inventories of Particulars 

for Grants preserved among the Records of ifie late Augmentation Office." 

in Appendices to 9th and 10th Reports of the Deputy Keeper of the 

Public Records. 

" Bellow, John, and John Broxholme, ioth June, 38 Henry VIII, Sec. 4, Requeft 

to purchafe," — Inter alia, 
"Farm at Staynton (York), late of the Monaftery of Roche (York), Memorandum 

and Woods." — Rep. 9, p. 170. 
"Brokylefye, Robert, and John Dyon, 28th May, 36 Henry VIII. No requeft." 

— Liter alia, 
" Valuation of Farms in Wynterton (Lincoln), late of the Monaftery of Rupe alias 

Roche (York). Memorandum, fummary, and particulars of fale of this " — 

Ibid. p. 177. 
"Broxholme, John, and John Bellow, 30th September, 37 Henry VIII. Requeft 

to purchafe," — Inter alia multa, 
" Farm in the city of Lincoln, late of the Monaftery of Roche (York)." — Ibid. p. 182. 
" Butler, William, and others (No date), Henry VIII. No requeft." — Inter alia, 
" Woods pertaining to the Manor of Roxbye (Lincoln), late of the Monaftery of 

Roche." 
"Woods pertaining to Bramclyffe Graunge (York), late of the Monaftery of Roche." 

Ibid. p. 183. 
" Girlyington, Nicholas, 12th March, 35 Henry VIII. No requeft." 
" Farms in Pioxby (Lincoln), late of the Monaftery of Roche alias Rupe (York), 

and Woods." — Ibid. p. 213. 
" Ramfden, William, of York, 20th February, 37 Henry VIII. Sec. 2. Requefts 

to purchafe," — Inter alia, 
"Farm in South Annifton (York), late of the Monaftery of Roche (York). Mem- 
orandum." — Rep. 10, p. 258. 
"Sutton, Charles and John, 12th and 24th February, 36 Henry VIII. — Inter alia, 
"Woods belonging to a Farm called Scotney, in Roxbye (Lincoln), late of the Mon- 
aftery of Roche (York)."— Ibid. p. 281. 
"Welbore, Michael, 13th December: ClyfFord, George, 12th February, 36 Henry 

VIII. Requefts to purchafe" — Inter alia, 
" Farms in Scawfby, Smeton, and Camfall (York), late of the Monaftery of Roche 

(York). [The pen has been drawn through the Smeton entry.]" — Ibid. p. 296. 

Page 159. (Etacter of Ebcot Salter. 

This charter is ftrangely included among thofe of Kirkftall Abbey, with which it has no 
connexion, in the Monasticon Anglicanum, Edit. Caley, Ellis, and Bandinel. 

May not the Wineley there mentioned be a contracted form of Wellingley ? The Fitz- 
Paynes, lords of this latter place, were certainly clofely allied to the family of Tinlley. They 
appear alfo under the name of De Hotens, from Hoton Roberts, where they held half a knight's 
fee of the crown : Henry de Tenneflowe holding the other moiety. — See Kirbfs Inquest. 



•%> 



Sir Henry de Tinfley, married Lucy, daughter of Sir Robert de Hoton Roberts. — Hunter's 
South Yorkshire, p. 399. 

Page 169, 8th line from top. 

It has been iuggefted that the hofpitium, or guefthoufe of the Abbey, was contained in this 
gatehoufe, which feems to have been the cafe at Workfop, and in fome other examples, but this 
opinion is open to confiderable doubt here, for, in the firil place in thefe Ciftercian Abbeys, the 
hofpitium generally formed a feparate building of confiderable magnitude, as at Fountains and 
Kirkftall, in the former of which there feem to have been two; and fecondly, the arrangement 
here, on the ground floor at leaft, differs from the case of Workfop, inafmuch as the fide compart- 
ments are not feparated from the gateway, as they are in that inftance where they form diltinft 
apartments or offices, as would be required for a guefthoufe. Here all is open, as if made for the 
fhelter of a confiderable concourfe of people while waiting for fome purpofe; this would be likely 
to be the cafe with thofe who were expe&ing the diftribution of the monaftic alms. We may 
therefore, perhaps, with more probability, conjecture that the gatehoufe at Roche formed the 
almonry, as well as the porter's lodge, of the Abbey. 

That the gate was the ufual place for the diftribution of alms, both in monaftic and private 
eftablifliments is fhewn by the following paflage from a curious old poem much quoted in 
" Parker's Domeftic Architecture of England," fpeaking of the aumonere or elemosinarius, 
it is faid: — 

" All the broken mete he kepys y wate. 
To dole to pore men at ye gate." 

MS. Sloane, No. 1986 f. 43. 

Page 172, i ith line from top, after the word "lockyer," add 

Or it may be a credence, from " Credenza," ( Ital.) a cupboard or fhelf, on which the 
elements and facred veffels were placed, before confecration. This, if not a feparate table, was 
frequently formed of a fhelf in the niche or fereftella, over the pifcina. The arrangement found 
here is very unufual, though the fame thing exifts at Kirkftall under a round-headed arch. 

Page 173, 5th line from bottom. 

"About the laft quarter of the 12 th century:" thus the paflage was originally written, but 
was altered as it ftands in the text, in deference to the opinion of a very experienced and 
judicious Antiquarian. 






ERRATA. 

Page xvii, a^th line from top " Anflem " should be " Anfelm." 

Page 4, 3rd line from bottom " Aorman " should be " Norman." 

Page 22, last line of note " Pantage " should be "Pontage." 

Page 114, 16th line from bottom " 1355" should be " 1535." 

Page 156, 9th line from top " Lincolnshire " should be " Nottingham/hire." 

Page 159, 7th line from bottom inlert " the" before learned. 

Page 174, 4th line from bottom " forman " should be " formam." 




*- 



•£ 




Aaron the Jew at York 

Abbey of Sancta Maria de Rupe 

A B C, by William Thorpe 

Abdy . 

Aberdeen 

Abingdon 

Abbots of Roche, lift of 

Abbot's Houfe 

Abbot and Convent of Roche 

Robert, of Whitby . 

of Newminfter, Letter from 

of Fountains Abbey . 



-of Peterborough 

-Alexander, of Kirkftall 

-of Kirkftead 

-of Newminfter 

-of Roche, Afton John de 



"Abbreviatio Rotulorum Originalium" 

Abftract of the Acquittance of the Jews 

Act for the Diffolution of Smaller Monafteries 

Acton in Suffolk, legend at 

Acworth, Thomas 

Acuto, Adam de Monte 

Adam de Gigglefwick . 

Adam, fon of Ralph de Armthorpe 

Addenda 

Advowfon .... 

Aggecroft . . 15, 

Agnes, daughter of Robert de Brunnington 

Agreement between Abbot and Convent of 

Roche, Thomas Rillington, and others 
Alan, the parfon of Maltby 

, Abbot of Roche 

Albus, William 

Alexander the IV., Pope, Bull of 

Almonbury . 

Algret . 

Alice, Countefs of Eu . 

Alteration in Cuftody of Seals of 

Orders . 
Alverley 
Alz, William de 
Amabill de Brampton 
Andrew, Saint 



155 
xx 

67 

99, 108 

42 

55 (") 

2 

153 

155 
7 

60, 62 
6 

171 (*) 

9 

81, 151 

60 

55 
no («) 

155 



Anes 

Anne, John . 

Anne, William de 

Annifton, South 

Anfton 

Anfelm 

Antonie, John 

Archbifhop of York 



99 



Religious 

45 

120, 142 

10 

109 

83 

15.21 

149 

48 

187 

21, 120, 141 

xvii 

7i 

24, 25, 36, 37, 40, 43, 49, 54 

55, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66, 79, 114 



74 

26 

86 

141 

50 

100 

181 

126 

17' 99 
100 

114 
120 

34 
108 
no 



3i 



151 
106 

17 



Architecture, The 
Arcy, Henry de 
Armthorpe, Henry de 

, John de . 

, Ralph de 

, Thomas de 

16, 21, 28, 34, 35, 

Arnaldus 
Arncliffe 
Arnethorpe . 

, Thomas de 

Arneldthorpe 

Arnewy, Henry 

Afhenbeech . 

Asfheton, Arthur . 

Afhover 

Aske, Robert, at indirections 

executed at York . 

Askern . 

-, Maurice de 



Atheling, Edgar 

Afton 

Aexoure 

Avenell, William 

Avenal, William, Lord of Haddon 

Averpenning 

Augmentations, Court of 

Augi, Countefs of 

Henry, Earl of 



B 



Bacon, William . 

Bagfhawe, W. H. G. . 

Balne 

Banke 

Bankewell, Simon de 

Banks, James^ 

Bauuent, Ralph de 

Barbot, William 

, Richard 

Bardolf, Hamelin 
Bardolph, Hamelin 

, Katherine 

, Hugh . 

, Ralph 

Baret, Richard 

Bargo, Hugh de 

Barker, Bobert 

Barlings, Abbot of 

Barnby . 15, 16, 21, 32, 89, («) 

, Benedict, Rector of 

, Richard de, William, fon of 

Barneby, Gervafe de . 5, 15 
, Richard de . 



, 16 



21, 



101, 



32- 



xvii, 163 
in 
100 

155 

100 

15, 100 

101, 125 

4 (») 
101 
100 
100 
100 
157 

IOI 

134 

21, IOI 

78-80 
81 

101, 144 

IOI 

xvii 

100 

21, 101 

15 

123 

22 (») 

134 

XX 

xxii 



121 

153 
101 

131 
54 
89 

152 
10 

5 

15 

160 

160 

160 

160 

10, 145 

23 

122 

81 

102, 104 

101 

147 
101, 104 

32, 102 



♦ 



"♦ 



* 



192 



ROCHE ABBEY. 



* 



Barneby, Hugh de 

, Alexander de 

, Thomas de 

Barnoldfwick 
Barnoldfwic 

Bartlett, Cromwell's fervant 
Barton, Great 
Barry, Richard 
Barvile, William de 
BaflTett, William 
Battle of Bannockburn 
Boroughbridge 



Bawtry 



-, Richard de 



de Bufli 



Bayonne 

Becket, Thomas a 
Beggam in Suffex 
Beke, John . 
Bella Aqua, Thos. de 
Bell, Adam . 
Bellewe, John 
Bellew, Thomas de 
Bellftring Lands . 
Bellow, John 
Benedict, Saint 
BenediiSines 
Benedicrine Nuns . 
Beatrix, fifter of Roger 
Bently, Lord of 
Bereus, Robert of 
Beresford, Edward 
Bergh, Roger de 
Bernard, Saint 
Bernehill 

Berwick-on-Tweed 
Bere, John 
Betham 

Bigod, Sir Francis 
Bilham . 

, Hugh de 

Bildewas, Abbot of 

Bircheworth . 

Bilham Abbey 

" Black Book " of the Monafteries 

Blackftondelf 

Bladefworth, William de 

Blakehills 

Blithefhaw . 

Blodwith 

Bloxolme, John , 

Blund, Richard le . 

Blythe 11, 12, 21, 87, («) 103, 11 

Blythe, Caftle of 

Priory, Regifter of . 

, Prior of 

Bodleian Library . 
Bohler, Mr. J. 

Bolgate . . . 

Boniface VIII, Pope . 
Booth, Laurence . 
Botildewellewang 
Bowes, Sir Robert 
Boxley Abbey 
Boyvill, Sir R. de . 
Braithwell . 

.-- , Artrop de 

Braiton . 

Bramclyffe 

Bramley , . .16 

Brampton, Robert de 

• , Michael de 

Bramwith . 15, 16, 21, 
— , Nicholas de 



141 



32 

32 

32 

103 

174 («) 

. 7° 

27 

55. I2 6 
103 
123 



21, 103 

106 

37 

9.83 

68 

151 
160 

93 
123 
122 
104 

187 

37 

167 („) 

158 

XX 

xxiii 

12 

122 

122 

xviii 
21 
47 

121 

I77 

80 

121, 126 

126, I55 

133 

II 7 

91 («) 

74 
134 
104 

26 

103, 149 
22 («) 

122 

144 

153. xx 

XX 

103 

103 

87 («) 

vi 
n 
40, 133 
63 
151. 152 
80 

83 

140 

21, 104 

104 

151 
187 

104, 115 
log 
log 

102, IO4, I05 
32 



io 3 



144 



104 



2I> 



BranclifFe 



15, 16, 28, 34, 35, 100, 105, 125 



164, 



Brathmere, Fifhery of 

, fee Hatfield 

Brettvile, Robert de 
Bridlington . 

, Prior of 

Brindfworth . 
Brinton, Robert 
Britifh Mufeum 
Brochard, Girard 
Brokylefye, Robert 
Brookhouse 
Broom Riddings 
Brother Thomas 
Brown, Mr. 

, Ralph 

Broxholme, John 
Bruce, Robert 
Bruerton, Robert 
Brumpton, William de 
Brunington, Robert de 
Bruntat, John (?) . 

, Eudo de 

Bug, Thomas de . 
Bugthorpe 
Bugthorpe, Hamel de 

, Nicholas de 

Building of Roche Abbey 
Bull of Pope Urban IV. 

, Alexander IV. 

Burgh, Thomas Lord . 
Burgundy, Duke of 
Burnet, Bifhop . 72, 79, 

Burnell Family 

, William 

Burton, Dr. v, 15, {n\ 36, 50, 56, 61, no, 

, Richard 

, Robert 

, William 

Burton's "Anatomy of Melancholy" 
Bury, Sir Thomas de . 
St. Edmunds 



xxn, 1 



Bufli, Ernaldus 

, Idonea de 

, John de 

, Jordan de 

, Richard de xxi, xxii, 4, 5,6, g, n, 1 

119, 120, 125, 126 

, Robert de 

, Roger de 

Buteiler, William le 
Butler, William . 
Byland Abbey 
Bylton, GeofTery 



114 
106 
108 

i°5 

81 

147 

122 

82 

23 
187 

i°5 

i°5 

102 («) 

165, 172 

139 

187 

46, 47, 48, 49 

159 

137 

100 

109 

log 

140 

106 

146 

106 

6 

30 

31 

139 

xviii 

. («) 84 

126 

130 

.11, 144, 

146 

120 

146, 154 

65 

82(«) 

140 

27, 40 

xx, xxii 
140 

12, 125 
xxii 

94. "° 

172 



«)8 



n) 



Bynd, of Eels defined 



Callinglow 

Calverlay, Sir W. . 

Cambridge, Countefs of 

Cambridge, Earl of 

Campfall, Mr. W. H 

Campfall 

Canby, Mr. . 

Canterbury 

Carlifle 

Carlton 

Carucages 

Carr 

Carter, William 

Carver . 



10 
xxi, xxii 

5 

105, 187 

45 
154 

114 («) 



106 

159 w 
58, 83, 127, 171 

xxiii 

vi 

106, 126, 144 

94 

■ 47. I0 7. J 58 

. 44. 46 

106, 107 

21 

107 

. 86, 88 

J 54 



# 



Carzon, Robert 
Callage . . . 

Caftello, Gena de 
Caftlefhaw 
Catwick 
Cawood . 
Cauz, Alfred le 
Cellarer of Fountains Abbey 
Chalons, Bifhop of 
Chalons-fur-Saone 
Chaucer 

Chaucomb, Warine de 
Chaucumbe, John de . 
Chapel, Alan Fitz 
i Henry de 



32 

22 

109 

107 

107 

54 
23 

14 

xviii 

xvii 

50 

136 

139 

34 

23 

86, 89 („) 

• 90 (*) 

4 

5 

28, 108 



Chapter Houfe 
Charter Houfe 

of Richard de Bufli 

of Richard Fitz Turgis 

of William, Earl of Warren 

of John de Warren, Earl of Surrey 51 

of William de Roffington . 108 

of Amabill de Brampton . iog 

of William de Chaworth . in 

of Henry de Shelley . .117 

of John Levet . . 126 

■ of Walter, Abbot of Roche . 122 

of Adam Fitz Burnell . 125 

of Warinus de Scargill . .131 

of Philip Paynel . . 138 

of Idonea de Vipont . . 140 

of Abbot Richard and Robert de Ripers 142 

of Ralph de Rainville . . 148 

of Hugh, son of Hugh Lascy . 148 

of Edmund de Lacy . . 151 

of Maud de Lovetot . 152 

of Matilda de Moles . . 153 

of Walter Abbot, and the Convent of 

Roche 
Chaworth, Henry de 

, John de 

-, William de 



Chatfworth 

Chefter 

Chetham. Chriftopher and Ralph 

Chrift's Church College, Oxford 

Church, The 

of St. George, Doncafter 

Cifteaux 

Ciftercian Devotions 
Civita Vecchia 
Clayton, David 
Clifford, Henry, Earl of 

, Robert de 

, Lord Roger 

, Lord Thomas 

Inquifitions 

Clifton, Alan de . 
Clinton, Lord 

, Lord Admiral 

Clipftone . . • . 

Clyfford, George . 

Cobcroft, Sir Robert . 

Coc, Reginald 

Cokewald, Henry de . 

Cole MS. 

Coletonj William de . . 

Collys, Nicholas 

Colmanhaghe 

Common Seals . . . 

Compendium of Difcoveries at Roche, by 

Drs. Legh and Layion 
Coningsbrough, King of 



159 

in 

in 

in, 145 

107, 145 

144, 151 

134 
68 
169 
109 
xvii, xviii, 47, 4g 
xix 

31 
131,141,144 

8 .3. 
xxii 

xxii 

xxiii, 59, 83 

126 

142 

122 

117 

103, 149. 1 5 2 

187 

91 

108 

139 

93 

139 

86, 88 

. 158 

46, 118 



82 
109 



Coninsborough . xxiii, 15, 21 

, Lord of 

Caftle 

Conference between Royal Army 

at Ferribridge 
Confirmation of Countefs of Eu 

of King Henry III. 

of King Richard I. 

: of Pope Urban III. 

of King Edward II., 

Walkeringham . 
Corngilds 

Cornwall, Duchy of 
Cotes, Allandel 

, John 

Council at St. Paul's, London 

Counhal, William de 

Counties 

Courcy, Richard de 

Cousen, Joane 

Coventry 

Craffis, Alexander 

Cramcumb, Godfrey de 

Craven, Hiftory of - . 

Crefii, William de 

Cromwell, Thomas 70, 71,74, 78, 79 

Croxton, Sir John de 

Croyland Abbey 

Croyton, John de 

Crumbewell, John de . 

Cudworth . . 

Cumberland, Earl of . 82, 

Cumberworth 

Cundal, Henrv, Abbot of Roche 



Cundall, Thomas . 



D 



Dadefley 

Danegilds 

Darcy, Lord 

Darell, Geoffery 

Darley, Henry de 

Deepcar 

De la Roche 

De Rupe 

De Hotens . 

Denfhaw 

Derby 

Defcription of a Monaftery 

: Monk 

Dionyfius, Abbot of Roche . . g 

Difcontent in the Roman Catholic Church in 

the time of Henry III. . . 24 

Diffolution, The . . .67 

Docelin, Mailer, the Chancellor . 23 

Doddefworth, John . . 82, 86, 87, 88 

Doddington, Grantee . . 149 

Dodfworth 103, 104, ill («), 125 («), 138 («), 148 (») 
Domefday Book . . . 12 

Survey . . . xx, xxii 

Doncafter xx, xxiii, 21, 79, 80, 81, 83, 108, 109, 146 
-, Deanery of . . -94 (») 

132 
47 
39 



34, 58, 104, 107 
xx 

XX 

and Rebels 

79 
17 
20 
16 

• 14. I5i 

of lands in 

156 
21 

149 
114 
114 
45 
34 
21 

135 

122 

48,82 

153 

23 

7 

18 
80, 91, 92 («) 
140 
6 
140 
xxi, xxii 
108 
127, 129, 130 
108 
72, 84, 86, 87 
88,94 
86 



xx 

21 

79 

154 

144 

108 

125 

125 

. 187 

108 

84, 99, 123 

69 

69 

10 



33, 
67. 



Doncaftre, John de 

Dover .... 

burnt by the French . 

Draft of an Act of Parliament after the Sup- 

preffion ... 95 

Drax, Richard . . .86 

, Prior of . . 135, 136, 139 

, Priory of 136 

Drengesflete . . . . 157 



25 



«#• 



Drigwrt, Hugh de . . . 15, ng 

Dr. Layton's Letter to Thomas Cromwell 70 

Drs. Legh and Layton and the Acl: of Suppreffion 77 



Dromore, Bifhop of 

Dugdale . . 

Duningeton, William de 

Dunfcroft 

Durandus 

Durham 

Dyon, John 



3. 4. 6. 



61, 64, 65 

xxi 

10 

. 31,110 

8, 9, 37. l6 5 

60 

187 



Eaftwood, Rev. J. 

Ecclesfield . 

Ecclefhall, Ralph de 

Ecclefal, Ralph de 

Edinsor, Adam de 

Edmund, brother of King Edward 

, Earl of Cornwall . 

, Saint 



vi, 91 («) 

91 («), 108 

108 

152 

107 

38, 4 1 . 43 

43 

82 

Edward I. King of England 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 100 

106, 125 

. 46, 48, 100, 118, 152 

Royal Charter of 112 

xxiii, 127, 152 

146, 149 



II. 
III. 
III. 
VI. 

1 Prince 
Earl 



5.9. 



Edwin, 

Effarts 

Eglifton Abbey 

Eilrichethorpe 

Ellercar, Sir Ralph 

Ellis, Sir Henry 

Ellys, William 

, Hugh 

, James 

Elmifhall .... 125 
Elizabeth, Queen of England . xxii 

Elfi .... xxi, 5 

Elmfall . . . 126 

Ennufe . . . .110 

Engleis, Hugh le . . 12 

Erdefale, Nicholas, fon of Jeffery de . 144 

Errata .... 188 

Efpeke, Walter . . . xviii 

Efton, John de . . 121 

Eu, Countefs of xx, xxii, 17, 99, 120, 125, 174 

Eudo, Robert, Fitz . . 15 

, William, fon of ... 145 

, Robert, fon of . . 160 

Everfham . . . -33 

Ewes or Ehus . . . no 

, John, fon of Gilbert de . . 141 

Exeter, Thomas, Duke of . . 59 (») 

Execution of the Abbot of Barlings, at Lincoln 81 

Fountains, at Tyburn 81 

" Excerpta e Rot. Fin." . . xxii (») 



Fac-fimiles of the fignatures of the monks of 

Roche at the diffolution 
Fairwath 
Farworth 
Fenwick 
Ferribridge . 
Ferrars, Earl of 
Fefh, Triftram 
Feyrford, Matilda de 
" Fines, Ebor." 
Firbeck . , 

Fifhlake 



32,33 
xx 
22 

45 

10, no 

80 

91 («), 92 („) 

149. 159 

149, 150 

150 



ou 
16, 21 


no, 


112 


. 


I46 


• 


79 


. 


123 


. 


149 




112 


• H5 (n), 147 («) 


104, 


III 


28, 


III 



Fitzwilliam, John, Lord 

, Thomas . 

Fitz-Payne, Robert 

, Sir Jordan 

Fitz-John, Richard 

Fitz-Turgis, Richard . 

Flanders 

Fleming, William the 

Flemenfrith 

Flixburgh 

Flomenwith 

Flora of Roche 

Florence 

Foffard's . . 

Foljambe, George Savile 

Fogfwell 

Ford Hall 

Forftal 

Foffard, Nigel de 



127 
121 

159 

145, 146, 159 
xxii 
xxiii 

47 
119 

22 
in, 135, 139 

22 
181 

26 

12 

46 

5 

153 

22 
xxii 



Fountains Abbey 6, 7, 14, 50, 92 (»), 166, 167, 168, 
171, 172, 174 (»), 177 
, Abbot of . . 81, 88 (») 



Foundation Charter of Richard de Bufli 

-of Richard Fitz-Turgis 



-of John de Bufli 



Franc-pledge 
France 
Freeman, John 
Fretwell, Roger 
Froude, quoted 
Frankland 
Frithefend 
Friar Mere 
Fulham, Geoffery de 
Fuller, Hugh 
Furnival, Richard 

, Gerard de 

Furneys, Richard de 
Fyfhburn, Richard 



Gamul 

Gamel, Filius Befingi 

Garth, William 

Gafcony 

Gatehoufe, The 

Gaunt, Robert de 

Gavefton Piers 

Gebod, Robert, fon of 

Gerard, William Fitz . 

Gerbode, William, fon of 

George, fon of Lord Lumley 

Gerwedon, Abbey 

Gifford, John 

Gigglefwick, Adam de 

, its well . 

Gilbert, the Chaplain 

Gildingwells 

Gilds . 

Gillott, Henry 

Gilpin, Mr. 

Girlyington, Nicholas . 

Glai, Robert, fon of 

Gloucefter, the Earl of 

Goderic-Riding 

Gofeker 

Grafton 

Grandimont Order, Peter of the 

Grangefield 

Grant, Royal 

Gray John, Abbot of Roche 

Greasborough 



19 



4.9 

5 

11 

22 

50 

91 (») 

104 

78. 79 

131 

157 

132 

158 

130 

160 

23. 152 

107 

86,88 



4 

5 

127 

47 
175 
135 

46 

in 

15, 142 

104 

80 

45 
H9 

50 

50 
117 
in 

21 

150 

164, 165 

187 

107 

26 
in 
105 

74 
xviii ( n ) 

154 

134 

60 

121 



•aS 1 ■ 



"•$* 



«$•- 



INDEX. 



95 



-4 



Green, Grantee 

■ ■ John 

■ , Thomas . 

Grendon, Henry de 
Grimbald, John 
Guienne, Duke of 



Gunhale 

Gunnora 

Guvry, Reginald 

Gwarine, Abbot of Pontiniac 

H 



Haddon 
Haimfoken 
Haket, Ralph 
Haloghby, Henry de 
Hall, Grantee 
Halyhton, Adam of 
Hampol 
Harleian MS. 
Hartington, H. 
Harold, Earl 
Harworth 

, Gamellus de 

Haftings, Brian 

Hatfield . xxiii. 

Park and Woods 

Haugh . 

Haytfeld, Church of . 

Heathcote 

Heden, Gerard de 

, Simon de . 

Helgheby, Galfrid de . 
Helias, Abbot of Kirkftall . 
Hellaby 
Henfrew, Hugh 

, Janet 

Hengwith 

Henry I., King of England 

II. 



101, no, 



113. 114. 



III., King of England xxii («), 
105, 106, no, 125, 139, 146, 

158, I59> 
Summons of 



-V. 
-VI. 

- VIII. 70, 101, 102, 105, no («), 
128, 130, 131, 134, 146, 149, 
-, Abbot of Newminfter 
-, Prior of Roche 



Helpol 

Herthwic, Robert de 

Herfy, Baldwin de 

, Malveifin de 

Heflington, John, Abbot of Roche 

Hefley . 

Heftwell 

Hewett . 

Hewet, Robert 

, Agnes 

Heyden, Richard de 

Heyr, Walter de . 

Hidage 

Higgins, Godfrey 

Hillbrigthorpe . 116, 125, 

" Hiftory of the Manor of Todwick ' 

Hitchcock, Robert de 

Hoderode, Sir John de 

Holme . 

Holmes, Thomas, Grantee 

Carr Wood 



132, 



154 

102 

)< 15° 

127 

148 

38 

39 

100 

xxiii 

120 

9 



123 

22 

122 

127 

r 54 
105 

125 
i65 (») 

123 
xx, xxiii 
no, 112 

112 

146 
112, 150 

114 

115, 117 
144, 145 

123 
144 
144 

159 
18 

115 
153 
153 

22 

xvii 

120 

100, 101 

147, 156 

160, 177 

? 2 . 
xxiii 
120 
122, 123 
152, 158 
18 

7 
158 
105 
108 
108 
67 

"5 

116 

r 3i 
119 
119 

34 

152 

21 

J 45 

133. 134 

94 

146 

151 

116, 148 
149 
116 



xxii, 116 

116 



116, 126, 1 



116, 118, 



27 



144 



Holtheng 

Holy Trinity, Prior of 

Hooton 

, Slade 

, Levet 

, Jordan 

, Roger 

, Allen de . 

, Barony of 

Roberts 

— , Sir Robert de 

Hope 

Horbiry, Richard de 

, Ralph de 

Hofpital of St. John of Jerufalem 

Holtal, Adam de and Donyfia his Wife 

Hoxebrigge . 

Hugh, the Clerk of Rotherham 

" Hundred Rolls" 106, 120, 146 („), 147 ( n \ 

Hundefdon, Lord . 

Hunt .... 

Hunter, Mr. xxiii („), 104, no.(„), 144, 145, 

I 



no 

136 
127 
144 
144 
116 
116 
105 

x 47 
187 
188 
116 
140 
122 
"3 
153 
148 
10 

153 
104 

131 
*47 

188 



Ichells 

Ickles 

Idle, River . 

Idonea, Widow of Robert de Vipont 

Ikkyls . . . 

Images burnt at Smithfield 

Image of the Crucifix on a Rock at Roche 

Index 

Infangthef . 

Ingbirchworth 

Ingleby, William 

Injunctions given by the Commiffioners on 

leaving Monafteries 
Innesby : 

Infpedtions 
Infula, William de 

, Jordan de . 

Introduction 

Inventory of Roche Abbey . 

Ifabel 

J 

Jackfon, Mr. Charles . 

, Charles 

, Grantee 

Jeffcock, Rev. J. T., F.S.A. 

Jeffry and Watt 

Jeremiah, parfon of Roffington 

Jervaulx, Abbot of 

Jeroval Abbey 

Jews at York 

John, King of England 101, 105, 106. 

, the Forefter . 

, Abbot of Roche . 

, fon of Phillip 

Johnfton MSS. 

Jordan, fon of Phillip de Marr 



117. 



117 
,n8 

134 
xxi 

147 
83 

82 
191 

22 
117 
154 

73 
117 

22 
105 
116 
xvii 



104, 120 

149 

vi 

93 

100, 126 

81 

45 

13. 155 

135. 136 

J 47. J 53 

34 

42,43 

23 

147 

121 



K 



Karleol, W. 

Keeper, John 

Ker, John 

Ketelbergh, Reginald de 

Kilnhurft 

, Roger de 



23 

89 
n 7 

i°9. 155 
118 
118 



* 



* 



•$• 



196 



ROCHE ABBEY. 



•$• 



Kilnhurft, Thomas de . . . 118 

Kimberworth . . . xxi 

" Kirby's Inqueft " . . 100, 121, 187 

Kirkburton, Hiftory of 108 («), 117 («), 150 («) 

Kirkftall 18, 19, 103, 166, 167, 168, 169, 170, 171 
172, 174 («), 177, 187, 188 
Kirkftead . . . xxi, 177 

Kiveton . . . 103, 118 

Knight's fee, defined . . . 100 

Knot Hill ... 132 

Knott, legend of . .26 

Kyrkeby, John de . . 137 

Kyveton, John de . . 103, 118 



Laci, Henry de, Lord of Pontefradt . 9 

Lacy, Roger ... 18 

, Robert . . . 148 

, Edmund de . . 144, 151 

, Henry de . . 116, 174 

, John de . . 151 

, Margaret de . . 151 

, Alice de . . 151 

Lambcote . . - . 15, 16, ng, 145 

Lambcroft . . . 15, 119 

Lancafter . . » .99 

, Thomas, Earl of . . 48 

-, Duchy of 



Landfdown MSS. 
Langdon Abbey 
Langley, Edmund de 
Langthwaite, Hugh de 

, Richard de 

Lafci, Thomas de 
Lafcy, Hugh 
Laughton 

, Lord of 

Layton, Dr. . 
Lee, Sir Richard 
Leek, John . 
Legend of Adton 
Roche 



43 > 



105, 



149 

82 

■• ... 70 
xxiii, 52 

5, iog, 126 

121 

148 

148 

in, 120, 147 

xx 

70, 71, 72, 80, 81, 82, 83, 91 («) 

158 

, . 106 

26 

25 
82,83 

153 
22 

155 

109 

60, 62 



70, 71, 72, 77, 80, 81 



Legh, Dr. 

Leicefter 

Leirwith 

Leming, Adam 

Leon 

Letter from the Abbot of Newminfter 

• on the fuppreffion of Roche Abbey 



Letewell, Peter de 
Levet 

, John . 

, Richard 

, William de 

, Hammond de 

-, Conftantia 



155. 159 
xxii 
. 55. 126 
116 
xxiii, 126, 127 
116 
126 
28, 32, 52, 92 («), 112 
147 
154 
xxii 
107 
123 
82 
151 
16 
xxi, 91 («), in, 134, 135, 159, 160 
136 
43. 44. 84, 99, 120 
Lindric . . .. 15, 17, 21, 120 

Lindrick, William de . . . 152 

-, near Tickhill .. . 120 

Brook .. . . 120 



Lewes . 

, Monks of 

Leweftye, John 
Leybun, .Roger de 
Librate . 
Lichfield 

— — , Bifhopric of 

, Mr. William de 

Ligulf . 
Lincolnfhire 
, Bifhop of 



Lindrick Common 

— Dale 

Lindfey, Robert de 
Lift of Abbots 

Subfcribers 

L'Ifle, Jordan de, Jordan fon of . 

Lifa 

Littel, Thomas de 

Littlemorye 

London . . 33, 40 

Longfword, William 

London, Dr. 

Louth Park 

Louweder, Richard de 

Loverfal 

Lovetot, Maud de 

Lowthwaite 

Lucius, Pope 

Ludham, Euftachius de 

Lumby 

Lumley, Lord, eldeft fon of 

Luterel, Andrew 

, Galfred, and Frethefant 

■ — , Robert 

Lyvet, James de . 
, Richard 



120 
120 
171 («) 
2 
viii 
148 
177 
117 

145 

, 41, 42, 46, 102 

12 

. 90, 92 

77. I7 1 . J 77 
144 

T20, I42 

152 

4 

14 

106 

100, 120 

80 

I 37> H7 
Wife of 147 

147 
122 
122 



99. 



M 



Magilldhylls 

Maidftone 

Malcolm III. 

Maltby . . xxi, xxii, 4, 7, 11 

Mill . . . 

, Lord of ". 

Malgerio, Mafter 
" Manchefter Guardian " 
Mandate from King Edward II. 
Manfelyn of Doncafter 

of Brodfworth 

Manvers, Leo de . . .15 

Mapes, Walter 

Mafter of the Rolls 

Matilda of York 

Margens, Thomas 

Marifco, Henry de 

Mar 

, Roger de 

, Jordan de . 

, Payn de 

Marr, Roger de 

, The Grange of 

Marfh, Henry de . 

Mary, Queen of England 

Mafon, William . 

Maude, daughter of Thomas, Lord Clifford 

Mauger, fon of Roger de Stokes 

Maumirr, Henry . 

Mawoners, Michael de 

Medyltun, Thomas 

Meleton, William de 

Melrofe, Chronicle of . 

Melfoe or Meux 

Melton, William de 

Memers, Richard de . 

Merlay, Ranulph de 

Mersfh, Robert de 

Meteham, Thomas de 

Michael, fon of Leo de Manvers 

Micklebring . : 

, Eugenia . 

Middleton 
Mileri, William de 



145 

83 

xvii 

21, 120 

116 

xxiii 

23 

134 

48 

116 

116 

100, 105 

54 
167 («) 

58,59 

114 

100 

21, 121 

15 
148 

121, 148 
122 
121 
IOg 
82 
I04 

xxiii 
"5 
J 57 
152 

86,88 
127 

18 (») 
177 

47.49 
108 

6 
127 
127' 
100 
121 
121 
123 

5 



* 



& 



■H 



*■ 



INDEX. 



197 



^ 



Mifterton, Robert de . 

, Walter de 

, Robert, parfon of 

Mitchell, Mr. 
Moles, Matilda de 

, Hugh de . 

, William de 

Molefme, Robert de 
" Monaftican Anglicanum " no, 
166 

" Eboracenfe " 

Monaftery, description of 

de Rupe 

Monkeboye 
Monkebothe . 
Monk Bretton 

, description of . 

Monks Bridge 

■ of Pipewell 

of Salley . 

■ ■ of the Rock 



Monby, Sir J. de . 

Monteby, John de 

Montfort, Simon de 

Montforth, John 

Monyafh 

Morton, Rbbert, Earl of 

Mores, Edward Rowe, Efq. 

More, Richard 

Morfurlung 

Morley 

Mortimer 

Mortmain Adr. 

Morpeth, John, Abbot of Roche 



Morehoufe 
Moflay, Richard 
Mowbray, John de 
Moyle, Mr. . 
Multhorpe, John 
Munkegate, Peter de 



N 



Newhum 
Newhall 
Newland 
Newerth 
Newminfter Abbey 

, John, Abbot of 

, Robert, Abbot of 

Newmarch, Adam de . 

Newmarches 

Newcombe, John 

Newfome 

New Vifitation of Religious Houses 

Neuflet . 

Nevil., Geo. Reg. 

Nicholas, clerk of Laughton 

, parfon of Tickhill 

Norfolk, Duke of . 

Northumbland, Duke of 

Northampton 

North, Edward 

Normandy, Robert, Duke of 

Norwich, Galfrid de 

Normanville, Ralph de 

Norwicen, Thomas 

Noftel, the Prior of 

" Notes and Queries " 

Notte, William 

" Nottinghamfhire, Hiftory of 

. xx, 106 



141 



122, 
167 



4- 7 



108 (») 



144 
158 
J 5? 
46, 159 
I 4 I i *53 
142, 144, 153 

• 15. 142 

xviii 

150, 151, 159 

174 (*), 187 

v, 36, 146 

69 

152, 153 

J 57 

158 

121 

69 

105 

7 

7 

18, 125 

140 

140 

32,33 
118 
121 
xx, xxii 
no 
146 

158 
121, 122 

33 
35 
66 

7 

117 («), 150 

. 86, 88 

48 

130 

127 

29 



16 

21, 122 

122 
II 5 

8, 66, 164, 177 
60 

7 

5, 6, 15, 122 

xxiii 

154 

15, 122 

ordered 81 

114 

• 59 W 
120 

12 

. 79, 80, 81 

101 

46 

130 

xvii 

29 

122, 155 

J 55 

121 

• 27 („) 
146 
xxii 

, 123, 146, 158 



Nottingham xx, 41, 84, 103, 115, 122, 141, 156 

, County of . . 154 

■, Sir Robert de . . 151 

O 

Oblations, Alms, &c. . . . 160 

Odenell, fon of Nicholas D'Aubeney . 105 

Odo, Filius Johannis . . . 5 

Oldcotes . . .16, 21, 123 

, Philip de . . i 22 

Oneafh or Anes . 15, 21, 99, 106, 121, 123, 145 
Ormesby, William de . . .41 

Orm .... jQ 

Osbertus, Sir . . . Z ci 

Osberton, Roger de . . 157 

Ofmund, Abbot of Roche 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 
25, 101, 105, 120, 147, 153, i 74 
Outfangthef . . .22 

Oxford .... 68 

, Earl of ... 79 

Oxgang . . . .99, 107 



Painell, William 

, Hugh 

-, Jordan 



135 
137 
5 



Parcel of the Poffeffions of the Monaftery 

of Roche . . . 128 

Paris, Matthew . . 12, 25, 26 («) 

Parker's Domestic Architecture of England 188 
Parks, John Del . . .114 

Pannage or Pawnage . . 22 

Particulars for Grants 101, 102, 104, 106, 117, 120 
122, 128, 130, 141, 144, 146 
149, 154, 156, 187 



Paffage 

Patent Rolls 

Paul's Crofs . 

Paul, Nicholas de Saint 

-, St. Richard de 

, St. Robert de 

Payne, Robert Fitz 

, Geffery Fitz 

Payn, Robert, fon of 
Paynell, Ralph 

, John 

, Phillip . 

Paynel, Adam 

, William . 

Penfion to the Abbot of Roche 

Penrice . 

Percy, William 

Peter, John Fitz . 

Petre, Doftor William 

Peterborough, Abbot of 

Philis's Hole 

Philippa, Queen of England 

Philip, Abbot of Roche 

, King of France 

Piers Ploughman's " Vifion and 

" Pilgrimage of Grace " 

Pipewell 

" Placitorum Abbreviatio " . 

Plantagenet, Richard . 

Pleas 

, Roll of 

Plefley, Simon de 

Podenfac, Governor of 

Pocklington 

Pollington 

" Polyolbion " of Drayton . 



52 



Creed 



99 



22 

r 38, 139 

83 

151. 152 

148 

29 

12, 15 

115 
in 

135 
137 
138 
148 

J 47 

87 
83 
28 
114 
87 
171 (*) 
27 

53. H3. 114 
34- 35. 136 
38,41 
55 
78 
7, J 77 
31 
59 
21 

135 
5. 101 

39 
106 
100 

=;o 



*- 



•$•- 



i 9 8 



ROCHE ABBEY. 



24. 25. 33 



PontefracT: 
Pontiniac 
Pontage 
Pope, the 

, Nicholas 

Portman, John 
Portfmouth . 
Poffeffions, the 
Premonftranfes Order 
Prior of Blythe . 

of Drax, the 

of York, the 

of Workfop 

Profits of Redory of Hatfield 
Prophetic Parable 
Pryme, Mr. De la 

Q 



Queen Philippa's gift to Roche . 
Queftions asked by the Commiffioners on 

Vifiting Monafteries 
Quick 



79, 117, 151 

9 
22 



50. 73 

123 

92 (») 

39 

99 

45 

141 

25 
25 
43 
"5 
56 
94 



53 

72 
132 



R 



Radcliffe-on-Trent 
Rainville, Ralph de 
Ralph the Prieft 

, Bifhop of Chichefter 

, fon of Nicholas 

, fon of Robert Fitz-Payne 

Ramfden, William . 128, 

Raftal, Mr. 

Rawmarfh 

Raveni, Willielmus Filius . 

Reference to Plates 

Reginald, Abbot of Roche 19, 20, 25, 

the Bailiff 

the Presbyter de Doncafter 

the Tailor 

Reine, Robert 
Reresby, Lionel Efq. 
Reprifals 
Rhodes, Peter de . 

, William de 

Richard I., King of England 12, 1 

II., 

, Abbot of Roche . 

, fon of Hugh 

the Granger 

Richmund, Roger 

Rice, Ap. Dr. 

Rickman 

Rievaulx, Abbot of 

Rillington, Thomas 

Ripariis, Robert de 

Ripers, Robert de 

Rifiby . 

Robert, Abbot of Roche 43, 44 

, fon of Glai 

, Saint 

the Cellarer 

Robin Hood 
Robynfone, John 
Roche, Adam de la 

■ , William de 

Rochefter, Bifhop of 

Rochdale 

Rodmerchewyet, Hugh de . 

Roger, fon of Hugh Fitz Walter 

Rokkehill 



103, 118 
148 
10 
23 
23 
12 

131, 152, 187 
xviii 
108, 115, 118 

5 
xii 



105 



6. 20 
141, 



46, 



147. 153 
109 
126 
109 
82 
147 
"5 
121 
141 

, 23, IOO 

159, 174 

149 

28, 29, 34 

23 

34 
23 
70,71 
170 
81 
14, 144 
99, 120 
142, 158 
17,21 
47. 48> 5 6 . 57 
15 
7 
29 

93 

82, 86, 88 

116 

122 

83 

108, 116, 131 
106 
100 
145 



Roll's Houfe 

Rome 

Romburgh 

" Rood of Grace " 

Roffington 

, Jeremiah de 

, Peter de 

Rothwell, Robert de 
Rothell, parfon of 
Rotherham 

, S de 

Rot. Fin. 

Rous, Antho 

Roxby 13, 15, 21, 89 

Royal Charter 
Rufford Abbey 
Rupe, Monaftery of 

, William de 

Rupibus, William de 

Rumfey 

Ryevall, Abbot of 

Rygges, William . 

Rypun, Nicholas de 

Ryvall . 



81, 96 («), 106 («), 125 («) 

24 

68 

83 

100, 115 

• . 10 9 

109, 116, 155 

139 

117 
29, 89, 99, 105, 117, 147 

43 

xxi («) 

149 

134. 135. 136, 137. 138, 139 

160, 187 

106, 118, 137 

45 

134 

29 

• 23, 29 

xvii 

133 

154 

32 

xviii 



Saddleworth 

Sake 

Salley 

Sally, Abbot of . 

Sandal, Thomas de 

■ ■, Madilda . 

Sandall 

Sandbeck xxi, 11, 33, 
Sandebi, William de . 
Sanderfon, John . 
Saunderfon, Robert 
, Sir Nicholas- 
Sarah, relicT: of Richard de Bawtry 
Savile, Richard de, Ralph fon of 
Sbyfon, Thomas 
Scalzebi, Robert de 

, Knight of ■. 

Scarborough 



Earl of 



Scausby, Hugh 
Scawsby 

, Adam de 

Scelhall, Hugh de 

Schepewykes 

Schofelde, Lord Thomas de 

Scoreby of Marr 

Scoteni, Walter de 

Scotage 

Scotney 

Scotland 

Scroby 

Scrope, Philip 

Scutage 

Seals of the Abbey 

Seal of the Cell of Roche 

Secretum of the Abbey 

Selefai, Henry of 

Serlby 

Sezacres 

Shaw, G. Efq. 

Sheffield 

Shelley 

, Henry de . 

Sheldon, Thomas 



134 

22 

177 

7 («) 
. 32, 126 

153 

• 21, 139 
89, 140, 141, 172 f«) 

10 
no 
141 
xxii 
106 

147 

29 

5, 6, 15, 122 

10 

80 

vi, xxii, xxiii 

12 

21, 141, 144, 187 

log 

140 

• 158 
132 

16 

15. x 35. J 36 

21 

187 

47> 48, 49 

44) 60 

152 

21 

45 46, 118 

no 

• 45. 46 
108 

103, 141, 153 
15. 142 

• 132 («) 

87 w 

142, 150 

117 

123 



* 



-•$• 



+■ 



INDEX. 



199 



Shepwick 

Shepley, Mathew de 

Shires 

Shirebrook, Cuthbert 

Shyttylyngton 

Shrewsbury, Earl of 

Sibylla 

, de San&a Maria 

Silkftone 

Simon de Montfort 

de Baukewell . 

Fitz Simon 

— , Precentor of York 

Skellow 



Grange 

, John de . 

Slade Hooton . 5, 99, 107 

Sloane, MS. 

Smeaton 

, Alan 

, Simon fon of Algar de 

Smetheton, Alan de 

Smithfield 

Smith, Mr. Theophilus 

, John . 

Smythe, Thomas 

Snaith 

Soke 

Sonke 

Southerfell 

" South Yorkfhire " . xxiii («) 

Spalding Abbey 

Spencer 

Sprotbrough 

Sprotburgh, Lord of 

Stacye, Rev. J. 

Stainton . . .16 

, Hugh de . 

•, Hugh, John fon of 

, John de . 

— , William de 

Stainforth 
Stainford 

, John Fitz Peter de 

, Provoft of . 

Stainredale 

Stallage 

Stanhop 

Stanhope, Sir Edward 

Stanfal . 

Stanhege 

Stapelton, Lord Robert de 

Stapleton, Robert de . 

, Richard 



Statute relating to Seals of 
Stather, North and South 
Staynton 

, John de 

Stelle, Robert 

Stephen, Abbot of Roche 

, King of England 

, Cardinal 

Stephenfon, Thomas . 

Sterndale 

Stevinton, Johann de . 

Stillingflete 

Stirap, Ingeram de 

, Gerard de . 

Stirrup 

Stokes, Thomas . 

Stone Edge . . . 

Storthes, John 

Stowe 



Monafteri 



142 
18, 108 

21 

8g, 164 

150 

79 
xvii 

29 
151 

33 

54 
117 

29 
126 

145 

126 

20, 142, 143 

188 

144, 187 

"7 

144 

32,34 
83 
vi 

154 
86 

144, 151 
22 
21 
26 

(»), 188 

45 

104 

121 

102 

vi 

tig, 145 

5> x 45 

145 

140 

140 

21 

144. x 45 
114 

145 

145 

22 

49 

xxii 

21, 145 

107, 145 

I3 1 , !32 

117 

146 

45 

I". 137 

187 

122 

89 

4L. 138 

xix, 4 

25, 120 

120 

123 

159 

155 

155 

16, 146 

21, 146 

127 

132 

150 

53 



, 4° 



16 



Strafford 

Strie, William 

Strifterop 

Streetthorpe 

St. Paul, Robert de 

— Agatha Abbey 

— Clement at York, Agnes, Priorefs of 

— Mary of Roche 

— Andrew, Robert de 

— Roche 

— Mary's, York . 

— Paul s London 

— John s Church, Laughton 

— Omer, Sir William de 

— Leonard, Hofpital of, at York 
Stubbs, Alexander de 
Styrrup, Ralph de, Robert fon of 

, Robert de 

Suffolk .... 
Summons to Stephen, Abbot of Roche 

to Parliament . 32, 38, 39. 

Suppreffion of Monasteries 

of Roche Abbey letter on 

Surrey, John, Earl of 
Surrender Deed of Roche Abbey 
Surdeval, Richard de 
Surtees Society 
Sutton, Charles 

— , John 

Swain, Fitz Swain 

Swaincroft 

Swayn, Adam Fitz ' 

Swift, Mr. W. 

Swinton 

, Raynder de 

, William de 

Sykes, Dr. . 
Symon, fon of Symon 
Sywardthorp, Hugh Marfhal de 



Takewith 

Tange . 

Tanner 

Tatewyc, William de 

Taxation of Pope Nicholas 

Templeborough 

Tenneflowe, Henry de 

" Teftamenta Vetufta " 

" Eboracenfia " 

Teftification of Richard de Boyvill 

Theam 

Themantale 

Theodare, a Monk 

Thethingpenning 

Thomas, Abbot of Roche . 

, the Granger 

, fon of Artrop de Braithwell 

Thomas, William Fitz 

Thoc, Thomas 

Thornfham, Robert, Steward of Anjou 

Thome . 

Thornhill, Robert 

Thornell, Hugh 

Thornabye, Robert 

Thoroton, Dr. 

Thorpe 

, William 

Thoresby's MSS. 
Thriberg 
Throapham 
Thundercliffe Grange 



146 
109 
146 
146 
29 

45 
160 

153 

151 

125 

68 

45 
120 

. 136 

141 

• 32, 155 
112 

112 
26 

• 38,39 
43, 44, 47 

94 (") 
89 

51,52, 112 
84 

xxii 

28, 59 («) 

187 

. 187 

7 

134 

16 

vi 

122, 159 

122 

122 

vi, 109 („) 

15 
141 



16 

21 

101, 177 

148 

137 
146, 147 

187 

• 59 («) 

59 («) 

140 

22 

21 

19 

22 

36 

32 

104 

101 

32 

23 

28, 147 

no 

154 
139 

v, xxii 

37 
67 

• 18,53 
147 

, 147, !53 
xxi 



*7< 



"$*" 



<&. 



Thurftonland . . 89 („), 142, 150 

Thurne, Thomas, Abbot of Roche . 64 

Thurnfcoe 15, 16, 21, 103, 116, 126, 147, 148, 149 

, Adam de . . . 148 

Tickhill xx, 11, 12, 17, 18, 21, 48, 103, 106, 112 
143, 144, 146, 150, 151, 174 
— Caftle . . xx, xx, 48, 121 



, Roger de, Abbot of Roche 

, Reginald Guvy de 

, Mathew de, Maud, relicT: of 

Tikill, William, Abbot of Roche 

Tilli, Ote de 

Tinfley 

, Sir Henry de 

, Robert de 

" T ; 1 Trumpet " quoted 

Todwick 15, 21, g4, 104, 148, 149, 

Grange . 

, " Old Hall " at 

, " Hiftory of the Manor" of 

, " Little " . 

, Gregory de 

Toffred, Abbot of Croyland 

Toft defined 

Toll 

Torr 

Tortemayns, Ralph 

, William 

Torworth 16, 21, 103, 



Tower Hill 
Trent, River . 

, Alan de 

Triftrop 

Trithings 

Turbary 

Turgis, Richard Fitz 

Turke, Richard 

Turlavefton, Ralph de 

Turmifton, Jeffery de 

Twell, Thomas 

Twing, Robert 

Tyrrell, Henry 



I5 1 - 



15. 



118, 141, 



Ulecotes, Philip de 
Ullay, Robert de . 
Upland, Jacke 
Urban, Pope III. 

IV. 



14, 16, 30, 



Urnethorp, Hugh de 



11, 12 

155 

155 

62,63 

104 

187 

188 

159 

69 

152, 153 

151 

153 («) 

151 

151 

151 

6 

100 

22 

no 

152 

152 

155 

81 

134 

158 

146 

21 

21 

125, 126, 127 

102, 105, 141 

10 

144 

86, 87, 88 

25 

28, 130, 131 



18 

141 

23 

116, 117, 119, 123 

125, 135, 142 

107 

117 



49 



5< 6, 94, 



153, 



52. 



151. 
151. 
154. 

in, 



Wadworth, Peter de 13, 109, 140 



Vallambrofa 
Vallis Dei or Vaudry 
" Valor Ecclefiafticus " 
Vavafour, William 

, John de 

Verona 

Verum, Richard de 

, William de 

Vefci, Lords of Rotherham 
Vickers, Mr. G. Naylor 
Vipont, Robert de 

, Idonea de 

Viteri Ponte or Vipont, Robert de 
Vivian, Archdeacon of Derby 

W 



26 

177 

101, 105 

15, 99, 147 

156 

16 

123 

123 

xxiii 

vi 

140, 141 

xxii, 140, 172 («) 

xxii 

23 



Wadworth 15, 21, in, 120, 142, 143, 145, 155, 156 



, Eudo de 

, Godfrey de 

, Ralph, Prieft of 

, Hugh de, Abbot of Rocke 

Wakefield . 

, John, Abbot of Roche 

Walcott, Mackenzie E. C. 

Walcre 

Wales 

Walent, Henry 

Wallbran, Mr. 

Wallingwells 

Wall, Robert 

Walker, John 

Walkerfall . 

Walkeringham . no, 120, 142 

, Richard de 

, Roger, Chaplain of 

, William de 

, Adam de 

, Henry de 

Wakling, John de 
Walfingham 
Walter, fon of Leon 

, Abbot of Roche 

Walton, Upper 

Warmfworth, William de 

Warpening 

Warren, the Goldfmith 

, William, Earl of 18, 28 



John, Earl of 
William de 



Warely 

Warwick 

Wafteneys, William . 

Waftenays, Edmunde de 

Waftenayes, Lord Edmund de 

Watt . 

Waverley 

Weighton Common 

Welbeck Abbey 

Welbore, Michael 

Wells, Thomas 

Well, the " Ladies" 

Wellingley 15, 16, 21, in 

Wentworth 

, W. de 

, Thomas 



143, 147 148 

J 55> 156 

in, 155 

15, in 

in 

13. 16, 135 

133 

58, 59, 60 

. 165 

156 

■ 47. 8 4 

117 

• 92 («) 
158 

81 

150 

118 

156, 157. J 58 

. 156 

157 

143. i5 6 . J 58 

J 57 

. 156 

108 

83 

109 

• 30, 137 
157 

109, no 
22 
. 88 («) 
34, 41, 108, in 
112, 114, 164 
50, 51, 52, 92, 112 
xx, xxiii 
21, 158 
92 («) 
145 
152 
132 

?3 
xviii 

79 

45 

187 
86, 88 

176 



Weftminfter . 38, 39, 44, 46 

Weftrafen 

Weftnis 

Wetelay 

Wheland, John 

Whalley, Abbot of 

Whiethwait, Johanna 

Whitehall 

Whitehead, Henry 

Whitaker, Dr. 

" White Monks " 

Whitwell 

Whifton Roger 

Wickerfley 

, Richard de 

, Robert de 

, Richard Fitz Turgis de 

Wilfick . 
Wilfon, Henry 

, W. 

William, Abbot of Roche 

, Chaplain of the Caftle of Tickhill 



H3' 



145, 159, 187 
117 

43 
117 
78, 119, 138 
138 
100 
117 

82 

133 

148 

83 

133 

7 

xviii 

15, 107 

152 

5» 21. 159 

9, 116, 126 

116, 140, 148 

159 

145, 155, 159 

82, 86, 88 

104 

49 

12 



* 



-•$* 



■$•- 



INDEX. 



20I 



4- 



William, fon of Richard de Barnby . 102 

, fon of Gilbert de Catwick . 107 

, fon of Henry de Marifco . 100 

■ , fon of Edward III. . . 52 

, fon of Richard de Bufli . 10 

, Sir William Fitz . . 100 («) 

the Fleming . . 16 

the Conqueror . . xxii 

Williams, Sir John . . 122 
Will of Matilda of York, Countefs of 

Cambridge . . .58 

Wilkynfon, John . . . ng 

Wilghefich, Mo. de Otho, fon of . 155 

Winchefter ... 23 

, Bifhop of . . . xix, 22 

Windfor ... 47 
Wineley . . . 151, 159, 187 

Winterington . . . 15, 17, 21 
Winterton .... 159 

Winteringham . . . 160 

Wlger-Oxgang . . . 156 

Wlrington, Robert de . . 144 

, Herbert de . . 144 

, Thomas de . . 144 

Wlvethwait, John de . . . 140 

Woburn . . . 177 

Wolfpit .... 5 

Wolvethwait, John de . . no, in 

Wolfey, Cardinal . . .68, 70 

Woodhall ... 121 



Woodhoufe Mill 


160 


Workfop 


xx. 94 („), 175, 188 


■ , Prior of 


• 19. 43 


Worcefter 


33 


Wortley 


xxi 


Worthley, Henry de 


103 


Wrigley, John 


134 


Wright, Jno. 


149 


Wulfagh 


108 


Wyk, Hugh de le 


!39 


Wynkyn de Worde 


. 12 («) 


Wynterton 


187 


Wyn, Miles . 


. roo (a) 


Wyfe, Ralph 


152 


, John 


152 


, Roger 


.152 


Wyvelfworth 


. 21, 160 



Yorkfhire . . . xxii. 84, 99, 120 

Churches, notes on, by a Monk 

of Roche ... 94 

York . xx, 60, 7g, 80, 81, 82, 112, 135, 160 

Fabric Rolls . . 28, 29 

Cathedral Church . .29 

Caftle ... 82 

, St Mary's Abbey . . 7 

, Matilda of . . . 171 




* 



Robert White, Printer, Park-Street, Worksop. 



SEP 15 1900 




